Artificial sweeteners, present in everything from sugar-free snacks to diet sodas, are a staple for many trying to lose weight — but new research suggests the substances could have multigenerational effects, potentially altering metabolism in future generations even without direct consumption.

The findings raise questions about the long-term biological impact of widely used sugar substitutes, particularly as consumption has surged in recent years.

In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, Chilean researchers found that mice given sucralose or stevia passed on changes in metabolism-related genes to their children and grandchildren — even when later generations did not consume the sweeteners.

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The findings suggest the sweeteners may have triggered changes in gut bacteria and gene activity that were then passed down across generations of the mice.

While they do not prove the same thing happens in humans, the study adds to a body of research examining whether non-nutritive sweeteners really have no effect on the body, as many people believe.

“When we compared generations, these effects were generally strongest in the first generation and tended to decrease in the second generation,” lead author Francisca Concha Celume, of the Universidad de Chile, said in a statement.

The researchers divided 47 male and female mice into three groups. 

One group received plain water, another received water with sucralose and a third received water with stevia. The doses reflected amounts humans might typically consume, according to the study.

After 16 weeks, the mice were bred for two generations. The later generations received only plain water, but researchers still found changes in gut bacteria, lower levels of short-chain fatty acids — beneficial compounds that support metabolism and immune health — and shifts in genes linked to inflammation and metabolism, according to the study.

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Sucralose, a popular no-calorie sugar substitute, appeared to have a stronger and more lasting effect, the researchers found. Approximately 140 million Americans consume non-nutritive sweeteners regularly, according to survey data cited by the researchers.

Male offspring of mice that consumed sucralose showed mild signs of impaired glucose regulation, while effects in females were more limited, the research said. Stevia’s impact was smaller and appeared to fade sooner.

Concha Celume said the goal is not to alarm consumers — but to push for more research into the long-term biological effects of these additives.

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“What we observed were subtle changes in how the body regulates glucose and in the activity of genes associated with inflammation and metabolic regulation,” she said. 

“It is possible that such changes could increase susceptibility to metabolic disturbances under certain conditions, such as a high-fat diet.”

Concha Celume said it’s worth noting that as artificial sweeteners have grown more popular, obesity and metabolic problems haven’t declined.

While that doesn’t mean the sweeteners are to blame, she said it raises questions about how they might affect the body.

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“It may be reasonable to consider moderation in the consumption of these additives and to continue studying their long-term biological effects,” she added.

Even though the study was conducted in mice and its findings cannot be directly applied to humans, it is worth taking seriously, according to Kristen Kuminski, a New York-based registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in metabolic health, weight management and nutrition support for people using GLP-1 medications.

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Outside experts say the findings, while limited to mice, align with growing concerns about how artificial sweeteners may affect the body.

“The mechanisms it’s pointing to, specifically gut microbiome disruption and epigenetic changes, are plausible in humans and align with what we’re already seeing in the broader sweetener research,” Kuminski told Fox News Digital.

She said it’s not surprising that sucralose showed stronger effects than stevia. “Stevia is plant-derived and metabolized differently than sucralose, which passes through the gut largely unchanged and has more direct contact with gut bacteria.”

For consumers, the most reasonable takeaway is moderation, Kuminski agreed.

“For most people, reducing sucralose specifically and leaning toward whole food sources of sweetness is a reasonable takeaway from this research,” she said. “Stevia in moderation appears to be the lower-risk option if a zero-calorie sweetener is something someone relies on regularly.”

She added, “The multigenerational piece is the part that should give people pause, particularly anyone who is pregnant or planning to be. We don’t have equivalent human data yet, but the precautionary principle applies here.”

The International Sweeteners Association (ISA), based in Brussels and representing suppliers and other stakeholders, said the study does not change existing safety conclusions for sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia.

“Sucralose and stevia have been rigorously evaluated by food safety authorities and approved for use in food and drinks within their acceptable daily intake,” the group said in a statement on its website.

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The ISA also noted that because later generations of mice were never directly given the sweeteners, it’s unclear whether the changes were passed down through gut bacteria or through other biological mechanisms.

“Results from animal experiments, particularly those focused on the gut microbiome, are of limited relevance to human health,” the group added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the ISA and the study authors for additional comment.

UFC champion Carlos Ulberg says he lost his championship belt that he just won after capturing the light heavyweight title at UCF 327.

He told Fox Sports Australia Monday he misplaced his golden title belt while celebrating his victory.

“I’ve lost the belt, bro,” Ulberg told FOX Sports. “Initially after winning, the plan was to not have a drink. But you know how these things go, right?” he said.

“First, someone gives you a champagne to celebrate. Then one thing leads to another, and you’re doing shots.”

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The 35-year-old from New Zealand fought through a knee injury to defeat Jiri Prochazka in the main event at UFC 327 by knockout this weekend in Miami to become the new champion of the light heavyweight division.

His injury could keep him sidelined for a year, meaning he will have to give up his champion status anyway, with UCF holding an interim title fight to take his place.

But Ulberg said he’s fairly confident his belt will be found before he heads to Las Vegas to get further evaluation from doctors on his knee. He then plans to spend time at the UFC Performance Institute before returning to New Zealand to be with family.

“I didn’t want to be carrying the belt around, so I think it’s still there at the apartment somewhere. One of the boys probably has it in bed with him,” Ulberg said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Former MSNOW host Joy Reid said on “The Joy Reid Show” that California Democrats failed to properly vet the gubernatorial field, allowing two Republican candidates to sit at the top of the race, while broader concerns about Democratic preparedness went unaddressed.

Reid framed her criticism around the stakes of the contest, warning that control of California was central to Democratic electoral success.

“What we really care about out here in these streets is that California doesn’t go Republican,” she said.

Reid emphasized the state’s importance in presidential politics, arguing Democrats could not afford missteps in such a critical stronghold.

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“You cannot become president as a Democrat without California,” Reid said. “Do you see how many electoral college votes they have? That number is 54.”

The segment shifted to her concerns about Democratic strategy, as Reid questioned whether party officials had conducted sufficient vetting and opposition research during the primary.

“Do y’all not have an oppo research arm inside of the Democratic Governor’s Association?” Reid asked.

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She argued that internal failures allowed “flawed” Democratic candidates to advance, while the GOP remained competitive in the race.

“If you let California fall into the hands of somebody who we can’t guarantee would run a free and fair election in the state of California,” Reid said. “Then you know what, Democrat, that would be on you if 2028 is cooked because you all let Eric Swalwell get to the front of the line without a simple basic oppo research vet.”

Reid said she had learned opposition research was being prepared by political opponents but had not yet surfaced publicly, raising questions about timing.

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“I learned over the weekend that there were people who were preparing huge amounts of oppo on the right to dump on this guy once he got closer to the primary,” she said.

“They were going to wait until right before the primary,” Reid said. “Democratic Party. What is the plan here?”

Reid reiterated the broader national implications, comparing California’s importance to Democrats with Texas for Republicans.

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“In the same way that if Republicans ever lost the 40 electoral college votes in Texas, they couldn’t win an election. Same goes for Democrats and California,” she said.

“Y’all didn’t think maybe y’all should leak to a system and maybe there was some issues?” she asked.

Fox News Digital reached out to the California Democratic Party for comment, but did not immediately hear back.