Sugar-Free Sweeteners May Pose Hidden Risks to Liver Health

Sugar substitutes are widely promoted as healthier alternatives to regular sugar, but new research suggests they may still pose risks to liver health. A study published in Science Signaling highlights concerns about sorbitol, a common sugar alcohol used in sugar-free candies, gums, and processed foods.

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that sorbitol is closely linked to fructose metabolism. Using zebrafish models, they showed that sorbitol can be produced in the gut after eating and then transported to the liver, where it is converted into fructose-like compounds. Excess fructose metabolism has previously been associated with fatty liver disease and cancer growth.

Gut bacteria play a key role in breaking down sorbitol, but if beneficial microbes are absent or overwhelmed by high intake, sorbitol can accumulate and reach the liver. The findings suggest that sugar alcohols may not be as harmless as assumed, especially when consumed in large amounts, and call for a more cautious view of “sugar-free” products.

22-12-2025