Sweet Protein Brazzein Completes First Human Safety Trial as Sugar Substitute

A 21-day randomized controlled trial found that recombinant brazzein, a protein sweetener, was well tolerated in 60 healthy adults, showing no adverse changes in clinical or biochemical parameters, no allergic reactions, and only modest shifts in gut microbiota. This preliminary study suggests brazzein is a safe sugar alternative for healthy adults, but longer-term trials are needed, especially for individuals with obesity or diabetes.