Artificial sweeteners may tip scales toward diabetes.

SACCHARIN; DIABETES risk factors; NONNUTRITIVE sweeteners; GLUCOSE metabolism disorders; GLUCOSE metabolism; GUT microbiome; SEGAL, Eran; ELINAV, Eran

The article discusses findings by biologist Eran Segal, immunologist Eran Elinav and colleagues as published in the September 17, 2014 issue of "Nature" on the effects of artificial sweetener saccharin on the digestive system and diabetes. Topics include evidence of associated metabolic problems such as impaired glucose metabolism, the role of the gut microbes in regulating glucose, and larger implications that microbe-free living may promote disease.