Have there been any solid findings on whether, even if there is no nutritional value (directly fattening/metabolic effects) in artificial sugar, it has effects

Have there been any solid findings on whether, even if there is no nutritional value (directly fattening/metabolic effects) in artificial sugar, it has effects on whether it triggers your hormones -- or that of your gut bacteria -- to contribute as if it were real sugar? In my mind that is the most interesting unanswered question to help decide whether it's an effective sugar substitute.