Review of 21 Studies Finds Zero-Calorie Sweeteners Trigger Distinct Brain Responses as Long-Term Effects Stay Unclear
Updated
Updated · News of Bahrain- DT News · Oct 27
Review of 21 Studies Finds Zero-Calorie Sweeteners Trigger Distinct Brain Responses as Long-Term Effects Stay Unclear
3 articles · Updated · News of Bahrain- DT News · Oct 27
Summary
A systematic review of 21 neuroimaging studies found non-sugar sweeteners and sugar both activate brain regions tied to taste, reward and appetite, but response strength varied and no lasting brain harm was established.
Results differed by sweetener, dose, delivery method and participant traits, leaving researchers unable to link short-term imaging changes reliably to real-world eating behavior or long-term health outcomes.
In a 75-person 2025 crossover trial, sucralose increased hypothalamic blood flow and hunger versus sucrose, yet did not raise hunger versus water, suggesting the comparison baseline matters.
A separate 30-adult 2026 trial found no primary hypothalamus blood-flow differences across drinks, though sucrose, sucralose, monk fruit and stevia-based options produced distinct reward-region and digestive responses without changing reported appetite.
The report says current evidence does not show zero-calorie sweeteners damage the brain; it supports larger, longer studies as WHO already advises against relying on them for long-term weight control.