Artificial sweeteners may help cut calories but the sugar replacement could raise the risk of a person being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, experts have warned.

The sweet alternatives, noticeably aspartame, causes changes in gut bacteria, which can lead to glucose intolerance.

Sweeteners, such as saccharin, aspartame and sucralose, are widespread in western diets.

They are often used in diet drinks and other foods, to cut calories or prevent tooth decay.

But, a new study suggests they may not benefit a person's health.

Artificial sweeteners may help cut calories but the sugar replacement could raise the risk of a person being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a new study has revealed

Professor Jennifer Kuk, of York University in Toronto, said: 'Our study shows individuals with obesity who consume artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame, may have worse glucose management than those who don't take sugar substitutes.'

Normally, weight loss is associated with several improvements in health.

Artificial sweeteners are often used to help people control their weight as they are not digested by the body.

But the study, of more than 3,000 adults, which is published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, suggests the bacteria in the gut may be able to break down artificial sweeteners - resulting in damage to health.

Professor Kuk said: 'We didn't find this adverse effect in those consuming saccharin or natural sugars.

'We will need to do future studies to determine whether any potentially negative health effects of artificial sweeteners outweigh the benefits for obesity reduction.'

In the study data from 2,856 US adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III) was used.

Individuals reported their diet over the past 24 hours and were categorised as consumers of artificial sweeteners (aspartame or saccharin), or high or low consumers of natural sugars (sugar or fructose).

Artificial sweeteners are often used to help people control their weight as they are not digested by the body. But the study suggests the bacteria in the gut may be able to break down artificial sweeteners - resulting in damage to health, notably triggering type 2 diabetes

Professor Kuk said: 'The results of the current study illustrate that aspartame consumption is associated with augmented obesity-related deteriorations in glucose tolerance and fasting glucose.

'Thus, more research is needed to better understand the weight-management benefits of artificial sweetener consumption over natural sugars against the potential increased diabetes risk, particularly for those with obesity.'

Diabetes risk was measured as the ability to manage blood sugars using an oral glucose tolerance test.

Professor Kuk said individuals consuming artificial sweeteners - aspartame or saccharin - had a slightly higher BMI (28 vs. 27) and were more likely to be female.

Currently there are many new sugar substitutes that are used in foods. The researchers note that further investigation is needed to determine if there are any health effects of using these sweeteners.