Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Artificial Sweeteners May Harm Liver
A new study found that artificial sweeteners like sorbitol can be bad for your liver.
Sorbitol is often used as a sugar substitute in foods.
The study showed that sorbitol can turn into fructose in the liver, which can cause fat to build up.
This can lead to a condition called fatty liver disease.
The researchers used zebrafish to study this.
They found that the gut can make sorbitol, and if there aren't enough good bacteria to break it down, it can reach the liver and cause problems.
This is important because many people use these sweeteners thinking they are healthier.
The study suggests that we should be careful about how much sorbitol we eat, especially in processed foods.
Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol may harm the liver by converting to fructose.
Sorbitol is produced in the gut and can reach the liver if not broken down by beneficial bacteria.
The study used zebrafish to show that sorbitol can lead to fat accumulation in the liver.
High levels of sorbitol can overwhelm the gut microbiome, leading to liver issues.
Processed foods often contain multiple sweeteners, making it harder to avoid sorbitol.
- Who
- Researchers led by Gary Patti at Washington University in St. Louis
- What
- Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol may harm the liver
- When
- Study published in Science Signaling
- Where
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Why
- Sorbitol converts to fructose in the liver, leading to fat accumulation
- Study Journal
- Science Signaling
- Lead Researcher
- Gary Patti
- Model Organism
- Zebrafish
- Sorbitol Source
- Gut enzymes, processed foods
- Liver Condition Linked
- Fatty liver disease
- Beneficial Bacteria
- Aeromonas strains
- Sorbitol in Foods
- Protein bars, sugar-free products