Splenda alters gut microflora and increases intestinal p-glycoprotein and cytochrome p-450 in male rats
Ok. We need to remember that this is a rat study, but the bacteria in the gut of these rats do not care whether they are residing in a rat or a human. With this said, I will reiterate my firmly held position that artificial sweeteners are leading to chronic disease to include obesity and diabetes. There are no studies to suggest that they help with these same conditions.
In this particular study, if we can assume that the results would be the same in humans, the long term ramifications of alteration in gut flora are many. And these include obesity, the very reason many people mistakenly increase their intake of these compounds.