While the majority of the evidence seems to support the safety of ASBs at moderate intake levels, there may be some negative aspects to their consumption. Infants born to mothers who consumed ASBs throughout pregnancy had an increased risk of being overweight according to BMI at 1 year of age. With childhood obesity on the rise, this is a concerning association, although this link is not necessarily causative.[1]
It is theorized that ASBs may impact the gut microbiome, causing changes in appetite regulation and weight, but this is not yet supported by research. In fact, some studies found that sugar-sweetened beverages can have more impact on the gut than ASBs. More research is needed to understand the effect of ASB intake on the gut microbiome.[2]
While some research has found an association between the intake of artificial sweeteners and cardiovascular disease, this could be related to lifestyle choices and confounding factors; there is no clear evidence that ASBs cause cardiovascular disease.[3][4][5]