Early weaning is a common practice in pig production, but it can reduce growth, damage intestinal structure and function, and weaken immune function, often leading to diarrhea. In the past, antibiotics were widely used to prevent these problems, but growing restrictions on antibiotic use have created the need for new strategies. A potential alternative is the use of non-nutritive sweeteners, such as sucralose and neotame. These compounds are intensely sweet with minimal caloric value that improve feed palatability and feed intake during the stressful period. This study evaluated the effects of sucralose and neotame on weaned pigs’ growth, diarrhea, intestinal development, immune responses, and metabolism compared to in-feed antibiotics. Both sweeteners improved growth and reduced diarrhea shortly after weaning. Sucralose enhanced intestinal structure and gut barrier integrity, while neotame’s benefits appeared linked to metabolic changes. Both sweeteners also affected metabolic pathways related to nutrients and antioxidants, suggesting broader systemic adaptations. Importantly, neither sweetener triggered harmful inflammation. Together, these findings demonstrate that sucralose and neotame can support growth, gut development, and resilience in weaned pigs, highlighting their potential nutritional tools for sustainable swine production.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.