Synthetic artificial sweeteners are found in several forms and can be found in prepared foods, diet soda and beverages, to name a few. Sugar is a quickly digested refined carbohydrate and low in nutrients. HFCS (High-Fructose Corn Syrup), a sugar substitute
used to increase the shelf life of several foods and beverages is notoriously one of the most problematic sources of inflammation in the gut and significantly lowers the diversity of bacteria in your gut microbiome by disrupting the balance of good and bad bacteria — which could lead to digestive problems such as leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability.
HFCS is relatively cheap and used in a wide variety of food (listed below), not limited to junk food. Being aware and reading labels, can help you make better choices.