Intense Sweeteners, Taste Receptors and the Gut Microbiome: A Metabolic Health Perspective

Turner, Alexandria; Veysey, Martin; Keely, Simon; Scarlett, Christopher J.; Lucock, Mark; Beckett, Emma L.

Abstract

Intense sweeteners (IS) are often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugars, with the potential to aid in combating the worldwide rise of diabetes and obesity. However, their use has been counterintuitively associated with impaired glucose homeostasis, weight gain and altered gut microbiota. The nature of these associations, and the mechanisms responsible, are yet to be fully elucidated. Differences in their interaction with taste receptors may be a potential explanatory factor. Like sugars, IS stimulate sweet taste receptors, but due to their diverse structures, some are also able to stimulate bitter taste receptors. These receptors are expressed in the oral cavity and extra-orally, including throughout the gastrointestinal tract. They are involved in the modulation of appetite, glucose homeostasis and gut motility. Therefore, taste genotypes resulting in functional receptor changes and altered receptor expression levels may be associated with metabolic conditions. IS and taste receptors may both interact with the gastrointestinal microbiome, and their interactions may potentially explain the relationship between IS use, obesity and metabolic outcomes. While these elements are often studied in isolation, the potential interactions remain unexplored. Here, the current evidence of the relationship between IS use, obesity and metabolic outcomes is presented, and the potential roles for interactions with taste receptors and the gastrointestinal microbiota in modulating these relationships are explored.

Citation

Turner, A., Veysey, M., Keely, S., Scarlett, C. J., Lucock, M., & Beckett, E. L. (2020). Intense Sweeteners, Taste Receptors and the Gut Microbiome: A Metabolic Health Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), Article 4094. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114094

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 8, 2020
• Publication Date: Jun 8, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 11, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 11, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 11
• Article Number: 4094
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114094
• Keywords: Sweetener; Non-nutritive sweetener; Taste receptor; Gut microbiome; Obesity; Metabolism; Gut hormone
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3520289
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/11/4094