A new study from Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) warns that consumption of non-caloric artificial sweeteners, commonly found in products labeled “light,” “zero,” or “sugar-free,” may be linked to an increased risk of developing colon cancer, particularly when ingested during pregnancy or lactation.
The research, led by Sonia León Cabrera of the Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala, focused on sucralose, a common sweetener in soft drinks and processed foods. According to the findings, exposure to this compound during early stages of development could trigger changes in the body that promote tumor development in the intestine.
The study analyzed the effects of sucralose exposure from the 28th week of gestation through the seventh day of life of the infant – a period known as the perinatal stage. Researchers found that newborns whose mothers consumed sucralose exhibited increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and alterations in the microbiota of colostrum, the first milk produced by mothers, which is crucial for the infant’s immune system.
“We want to determine if sucralose consumption during the perinatal stage can predispose individuals to developing colon cancer in adulthood,” explained León Cabrera, according to UNAM’s website.
A standard can of “light” soda can contain up to 60 milligrams of sucralose. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that a 70-kilogram adult could consume up to 350 milligrams daily without exceeding safety limits. However, León Cabrera notes that these values are based on studies conducted more than 25 years ago and may not reflect current risks, especially during critical stages of human development.
Experiments conducted on mice further support these concerns. The offspring of mothers who consumed sucralose during gestation or lactation exhibited increased body weight, metabolic alterations, and abnormal inflammatory profiles in the intestine. Subsequently, when colon cancer was induced, these offspring developed more tumors than those whose mothers were not exposed to the sweetener, confirming sucralose’s potential to increase susceptibility to the disease.
The study emphasizes the importance of avoiding sucralose during pregnancy and lactation. While many products include warnings against consumption by children, León Cabrera believes warnings should also be included regarding use by pregnant and lactating women, given the critical role these stages play in infant development.
In Mexico, consumption of processed soft drinks and juices remains high, even among pregnant women, who often choose “light” products to control weight or prevent gestational diabetes. However, scientific evidence suggests these sweeteners could have negative health effects on both mothers and babies.
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer mortality. Data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) for 2025 display an increase in cases among men aged 30 to 59, while an increase is also observed among women, while other types of cancer remain more prevalent in that group.
Sonia León Cabrera is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Studies Superiores Iztacala, UNAM, and her research focuses on identifying cellular and molecular alterations of the immune response associated with the colitis-colon cancer transition, according to her ResearchGate profile.
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