Sucralose; Artificial Sweetener Found In Food Products May Damage DNA, New Research Found.
10 minutes read.
Are you a fan of sugar-free or zero calories products? You know what! I got a good news for you.
Results of a new research on sucralose-6-acetate, a compound that forms during the manufacturing and digestion of sucralose have been found to have a negative impact on human DNA the scientists reported.
Sucralose, sold under the brand name Splenda, in some parts of the world, is an artificial sweetener sweeter than regular sugar more than 600 times with zero calories.
It’s used in a wide range of food products, including diet drinks, some juice, chewing gum, sugar-free jams, coffee syrups, and canned sauces, etc.
This article reveals to you what the old and new research has found about this popular artificial sweetener, the side effect plus risk, and popular foods that contain it including alternatives you may opt for.
Feel free to skim ahead.
In this article:
What’s Sucralose?
Sucralose is a chlorinated sucrose derivative. This means it’s derived from sugar and contains chlorine.
Making sucralose is a multistep process that involves replacing the three hydrogen-oxygen groups of sugar with chlorine atoms.
The replacement with chlorine atoms intensifies the sweetness of sucralose.
Originally, sucralose was found through the development of a new insecticide compound. It was never meant to be consumed.
However, it was later introduced as a “natural sugar substitute” to the masses, and people had no idea that the stuff was actually toxic.
In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sucralose for use in 15 food and beverage categories, including water-based and fat-based products like baked goods, frozen dairy desserts, chewing gum, beverages, and sugar substitutes.
Then, in 1999, the FDA expanded its approval for use as a general-purpose sweetener in all categories of foods and beverages.
Sucralose-6-acetate-containing products may be more common among people who want to maintain or lose weight, to this effect, the WHO on May 2023 warned consumers that artificial sweeteners, including sucralose, are ineffective for controlling weight and may actually increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
What you should know about Splenda.
Here’s the real fact about the popular Splenda;
The most common sucralose-based product on the market today is Splenda. It is one of the most popular sweeteners in many parts of the world including the United States and Nigeria.
That’s probably because it’s about 600 times sweeter than sugar with no calories.
Here are some general facts about Splenda that may provide a basis for its use:
- Splenda is a synthetic sugar that isn’t recognized by the body.
- Sucralose only makes up about 5 percent of Splenda. The other 95 percent contains a bulking agent called maltodextrin, which serves as filler, and corn-based dextrose, a type of sugar.
- Splenda is used as a sugar substitute in cooking and baking, and it’s added to thousands of “zero calories” food products sold throughout the United States.
- The calorie content of Splenda is actually 3.36 calories per gram, which comes from dextrose and maltodextrin.
The 2023 global market statistics of Sucralose show that across the globe, the range of products that uses sucralose as a sweetener is more extensive than for any other artificial sweeteners.
Why Is Sucralose So Popular For Use In Our Foods And Drinks?
Because it’s readily soluble in ethanol, methanol, and water. That means it can be used in both fat- and water-based products, including alcoholic drinks.
Other artificial sweeteners, like aspartame and sodium saccharin, aren’t as soluble. Therefore they have more limited product applications.
Health Risk of Sucralose (side effect)
Does sugar-free sweetener have any side effects?
1. May Cause Diabetes
Diabetes research discovered that if you consume sucralose, the risk of developing diabetes is profound.
According to the study, daily consumption of diet soda was associated with a 36 percent greater risk of metabolic syndrome and a 67 percent greater risk of type 2 diabetes.
That means sucralose is among the unexpected diabetes triggers.
So if you’ve been wondering about the safety of sucralose for diabetes, the clear answer is to be careful, it actually increases your risk of diabetes.
Another research evaluated this sucralose for the first time with human subjects. Seventeen obese individuals who were insulin-sensitive took oral glucose tolerance tests after consuming either sucralose or water.
In addition to revealing that there was an “increase in peak plasma glucose concentrations” after consuming sucralose, it was discovered that there was a 23 percent decrease in insulin sensitivity, which prevents glucose absorption in cells.
A more recent study (2020) found that the consumption of sucralose in the presence of a carbohydrate rapidly impaired glucose metabolism and resulted in the dysregulation of gut-brain control of glucose metabolism
2. Increases Risk of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn’s Disease
In 2011, researcher Xin Qin, M.D., Ph.D., from New Jersey Medical School found that consuming sucralose causes IBS symptoms, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
Dr. Qin made this discovery when examining the rapid increase of IBS among Alberta, Canada residents over a 20-period. In short, it went up 643 percent according to the result.
This led Qin to conduct his study.
Here’s what he found.
“Sucralose has a more detrimental effect on gut bacteria than other artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin, because 65 percent to 95 percent of sucralose is excreted through feces unchanged.
In 1991, Canada became the first country in the world to approve the use of sucralose as an artificial sweetener.
In other words, there was a direct correlation between the amount of sucralose consumed and the increase in inflammatory bowel disease“.
A 2018 study found that the use of artificial sweeteners like Splenda doubles the risk for Crohn’s disease and can exacerbate antimicrobial intestinal reactivity in individuals with Crohn’s and other pro-inflammatory conditions.
Does Sucralose Cause Bloating?
It certainly can, because it’s been linked to serious pro-inflammatory conditions that affect your digestive system.
Does sucralose make you poop?
May be in some people, since it can increase inflammation and cause IBS symptoms in some cases.
New research (2022) indicated that sucralose is poorly absorbed, undergoes little metabolism, and enters unchanged into the lower gastrointestinal tract, being excreted primarily unchanged in the feces of all species, including humans.
And more than 85% of the consumed sucralose reaches the colon.
Therefore, sucralose could possibly either alter or change the gut microbiota composition, although it is scarcely metabolized by intestinal bacteria.
the study concluded that it is necessary to broaden the concept of food safety for sucralose and saccharin by re-evaluating toxicity referring to the effect on the gut microbiota and the possible consequences on health maintenance and disease amelioration in humans.
3. Linked to Leaky Gut
Does sucralose affect gut bacteria?
Essentially, the understanding we now have is that because the body cannot digest sucralose, it travels through the human gastrointestinal tract and damages it as it goes.
It harms the intestinal wall, potentially causing a leaky gut.
Several studies including animal and human trials have confirmed the harmful effects of sucralose on gut health.
For instance, a study describes that Splenda not only significantly reduces beneficial bacteria in the gut, but also increases your fecal pH. That decreases the amount of nutrients you can absorb.
4. May Generate Toxic (and Carcinogenic) Compounds When Heated
One study found that cooking at high temperatures with sucralose can generate dangerous chloropropanols, a potentially toxic class of compounds.
Although sucralose is commonly used in baked goods, studies show that the stability of the artificial sweetener decreases as the temperature and pH increase.
Not only does sucralose undergo thermal degradation when it’s heated, but researchers also found that chloropropanols that comprise a group of contaminants, including genotoxic, carcinogenic, and tumorigenic compounds, are generated in the process.
Another research study published in Food Chemistry concluded that “caution should be exercised in the use of sucralose as a sweetening agent during baking of food products containing glycerol or lipids.”
If you’re wondering if sucralose can cause cancer, this is some concerning information, especially because sucralose is commonly used in baked goods and other food products that are heated.
More research is needed for concrete evidence about the carcinogenic effects of sucralose.
Related: What Does It Mean to Have Leaky Gut Syndrome?
5. Associated with Weight Gain
Do you think using sucralose in your coffee was going to help you lose weight?
Well, it turns out that epidemiological studies in humans and lab studies in animals both suggest an association between using artificial sweeteners and body weight gain.
Plus, artificial sweetener use can increase the risk for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
These studies didn’t evaluate the effects of sucralose, specifically, on weight gain, but there are studies that indicate that sucralose doesn’t appear to help with weight loss.
In an 18-month trial conducted on 641 children (477 completed the study) were randomly assigned to receive an eight-ounce can per day of either a no-calorie sweetened or sugar-sweetened beverage that contained 104 calories.
The sugar-free beverage contained 34 milligrams of sucralose, along with 12 milligrams of acesulfame-K.
By the end of the study period, the calorie consumption from these beverages was 46,627 calories greater for the children in the sugar-sweetened group than in the sucralose-sweetened group.
However, the total weight gain over the 18-month period was only one kilogram greater for children in the sugar-sweetened group.
Researchers cannot explain the small difference in weight gain given the significant difference in caloric consumption from beverages.
Another study involving adolescents showed no consistent reduction of weight gain two years after families were supplied with artificially sweetened beverages in order to reduce their consumption of sodas sweetened with sugar.
Related: What’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Related: What are the Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Try this Natural Treatment Guide
Does sucralose cause weight gain?
Well, we know that in many cases it doesn’t help with weight loss, and for people who use it in their cooking, baking, and coffee strictly to watch their calorie count, this really doesn’t seem to be an effective weight-loss method.
There have been reports of adverse reactions to sucralose and products made with Splenda, including:
- headaches
- allergic reactions.
And recent research indicates that consuming sucralose can negatively impact your gut health and even cause metabolic syndrome.
If you tend to use sucralose because it’s a no-calorie option and you’re trying to lose weight, know that studies show artificial sweeteners like Splenda do not appear to help with weight loss.
Instead, you opt for natural sweeteners that are lower in calories instead.
Example:
Raw honey and stevia are just two excellent options.
You may skim through if you’re catching up on something very quickly, if not stay with me to the end I will show you the most dangerous health risk the new research has found on sucralose.
Uses Of Sucralose
What Are the Uses Of Sucralose?
Sucralose, or Splenda, is used in many food and beverage products that are marketed as healthier options.
Sometimes, you wouldn’t even know that sucralose is in the bottled beverage or packaged food that you pick up from the grocery store.
It’s even found in toothpaste, lozenges, and vitamins.
The best way to determine whether or not sucralose is used in a product is to check the ingredient label. Sometimes the box or bottle of a product says right on the front that it’s made with Splenda.
Often, products containing sucralose are labeled as “sugar-free,” “sugarless,” “lite” or “zero calories.”
Look out for these slogans because they usually indicate that some kind of artificial sweetener is used in the product.
Sucralose in your food
What food contains sucralose?
Here are just some of the products that contain sucralose:
- Some diet sodas
- Some sparkling waters
- Diet iced tea products
- Some juice products
- “Sugar-free” sauces, toppings and syrups
- Chewing gum (including “sugarless” products)
- “Diet,” “fat-free” and “no sugar added” cocoa mixes
- Some protein and diet bars, powders, and shakes
- Many “sugar-free” baked goods
- “Sugar-free” ice pops and ice cream
- “Lite” and “no sugar added” ice cream products
- Some popcorn products
- “Sugar-free” and “light” yogurt products
- “Sugar-free” or “light” hard candy
- “Sugar-free” chocolates
- “Sugar free” mints and lozenges
- Some toothpaste
Is It Safe?
The quick answer to the common question “Is sucralose safe?” Is No.
From metabolic syndrome to digestive problems and weight gain, sucralose doesn’t contribute value to your health. In fact, it impacts your health negatively in a number of ways.
What The New Research Found On Sucralose;
Previous research on rodents found that several fat-soluble compounds are formed in the digestive system after ingestion of sucralose. One of those compounds is sucralose-6-acetate.
In new research by the same scientific team found that sucralose-6-acetate may be genotoxic and negatively impact DNA.
They also found the compound may contribute to a leaky gut and affect gene expression in gut tissues.
The scientists conducted lab experiments exposing human blood cells and gut tissues to sucralose-6-acetate and examined gut cell genetic activity.
Here’s what they found:
“The team observed that the DNA of cells exposed to sucralose-6-acetate showed breaks, which indicates the compound is genotoxic”(may damage DNA).
They also found that when they exposed tissues that line the intestine to sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose, both impaired intestinal barrier integrity.
In addition, the compound significantly increased the expression of genes in the gut-associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer
To make this clearer, according to a press release in Newswise;
In quote!
“In a news release, corresponding author Susan Schiffman, an adjunct professor in the joint department of biomedical engineering at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says, “When we exposed sucralose and sucralose-6-acetate to gut epithelial tissues – the tissue that lines your gut wall – we found that both chemicals cause leaky gut”
“Basically, they make the wall of the gut more permeable. The chemicals damage the ‘tight junctions,’ or interfaces, where cells in the gut wall connect to each other.”
“Moreover, sucralose-6-acetate also blocked two enzymes that play a role in detoxification and cellular metabolism, which the study authors say might lead to adverse toxicological exposures”
And this has the scientists concerned because they also identified trace amounts of sucralose-6-acetate in sucralose found on store shelves.
To put this in context, the European Food Safety Authority has a threshold of toxicological concern for all genotoxic substances of 0.15 micrograms per person per day,” Schiffman explains. “Our work suggests that the trace amounts of sucralose-6-acetate in a single, daily sucralose-sweetened drink exceed that threshold.
And that’s not even accounting for the amount of sucralose-6-acetate produced as metabolites after people consume sucralose.”
Schiffman says these findings raise several concerns about the potential health effects of sucralose and its metabolites.
It’s time to revisit the safety and regulatory status of sucralose because the evidence is mounting that it carries significant risks,” Schiffman says. “If nothing else, I encourage people to avoid products containing sucralose. It’s something you should not be eating.”
Sucralose vs. Stevia vs. Aspartame
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that’s used in “sugar-free” and “sugarless” products. It’s marketed as a no-calorie sweetener that can help you lose weight — although studies suggest that this isn’t true.
Although the FDA has approved the use of sucralose in food and beverage products, including those marketed for children, there are some concerns regarding ingesting sucralose.
Sucralose vs. Stevia
Stevia is an edible herbal plant that’s been used for more than 1,500 years. Unlike sucralose and aspartame, it is a natural sweetener.
Stevia extracts are said to be about 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Although it can be used in your morning coffee or smoothie in place of sugar, stevia does not cause dangerous side effects like most artificial sweeteners.
In fact, it may have anticancer, antidiabetic, cholesterol-improving, and weight loss-promoting properties.
There’s a telling study that compares the effects of stevia, sugar, and alternative sweeteners on food consumption, satiety, and glucose/insulin levels after eating.
The research, published in the journal Appetite, took 19 healthy, lean people and 12 obese individuals between 18 and 50 years old and had them complete three tests in which they consumed stevia, sucrose (table sugar), or aspartame before eating lunch and dinner.
It’s no surprise that when these people consumed stevia, they didn’t feel hungry and overeat during their meals like they did when they consumed sucrose.
Additionally, the researchers reported that “stevia significantly reduced post-meal glucose levels compared to those who consumed sugar or aspartame.”
In other words, they discovered that stevia helps normalize blood sugar levels and reduce your risk for diabetes compared to the blood sugar spike people experience when they drink sugary or diet beverages before, during, or after meals.
Sucralose vs. Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that also goes by the more recognizable names Equal® and NutraSweet®. It’s found in a variety of foods and products, including:
- diet soda
- sugar-free breath mints
- sugar-free cereals
- flavored water
- meal replacement products
- sports drinks
Although companies that benefit from the popularity of aspartame have released studies hyping its safety.
92 percent of studies funded independently indicate the artificial sweetener’s adverse effects.
Some of the most serious dangers of aspartame include worsening (or maybe causing) diabetes, increasing the risk of heart disease, possibly causing brain disorders, worsening mood disorders, causing weight gain and possibly causing cancer.
Is Sucralose As Bad For You As Aspartame?
Like sucralose, aspartame is approved by the FDA for its use in many foods and beverages. In fact, it can be found in diet soda and over 6,000 other products.
It’s also found in more than 500 over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications, even after research on its dangerous side effects has been released.
Both artificial sweeteners have dangerous side effects and should be avoided. Instead, choose a natural sweetener like stevia for your coffee, baked goods, or other recipes that need extra sweetness.
Healthier Alternatives
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to add sweetness to your diet, you don’t have to rely on artificial sweeteners.
There are some excellent natural sweeteners that serve as tasty sweeteners and don’t come with a list of potential side effects and dangers.
Below is a quick rundown of some of the best alternative sweeteners out there:
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from a plant in the Asteraceae family. It’s been used for over a thousand years and is known as the “sweet herb.”
Stevia is one of the best sweeteners for diabetics. It is heat-stable and can be used in baking, but remember that it’s about 200 times sweeter than table sugar, so a little goes a long way.
Raw honey
Raw honey is a natural sweetener that’s loaded with enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
One tablespoon has 64 calories, and it has a lower glycemic load than a single banana. You should not cook with raw honey, but it can be drizzled on yogurt, toast, salads, or cereals for some extra sweetness.
Maple syrup
Maple syrup nutrition has a higher antioxidant capacity than sugar, containing up to 24 different antioxidants. It’s also a source of manganese, calcium, potassium, and zinc.
Unlike sucralose, maple syrup is heat-stable and can be used in any recipe, including cookies, cakes, glazes, and pancakes. Just opt for a product that’s 100 percent pure organic maple syrup and is labeled grade B or even grade C.
Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar comes from the dried sap of the coconut tree. It contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals.
It also has short-chain fatty acids, polyphenols, antioxidants, and fiber. You can use it in your favorite recipes as a sugar substitute because it measures just like table sugar.
Blackstrap molasses
Blackstrap molasses is obtained from raw cane sugar. It’s made by boiling raw sugar until it’s a rich, sweet syrup. Unlike table sugar, blackstrap molasses is highly nutritious.
Compared to refined sugar, rapeseed honey, and dates, blackstrap molasses has been proven to have the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity.
Blackstrap molasses can be used in baking or making marinades. It can also be combined with coconut sugar to make a brown sugar alternative.
Conclusion
Sucralose, sold under the brand name Splenda, in some parts of the world, is an artificial sweetener sweeter than regular sugar more than 600 times with zero calories.
Sucralose is a chlorinated sucrose derivative. This means it’s derived from sugar and contains chlorine.
The most common sucralose-based product on the market today is Splenda which is used in a wide variety of food.
The quick answer to the common question “Is sucralose safe?” Is No.
The health risk and side effects that scientifically proven to be linked consumption of sucralose include:
- diabetes
- Irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease
- Leaky gut
- Associated with weight gain
Sucralose may generate toxic (and carcinogenic) compounds when heated.
The truth is “sucralose may not be safe” and it contributes no value to your health, although it has been approved by Food and Drug Administration as a safe artificial sweetener for many years irrespective of the health risk.
Previous research on rodents found that several fat-soluble compounds are formed in the digestive system after ingestion of sucralose. One of those compounds is sucralose-6-acetate.
In new research by the same scientific team found that sucralose-6-acetate may be genotoxic and negatively impact DNA.
They also found the compound may contribute to a leaky gut and affect gene expression in gut tissues.
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to add sweetness to your diet, you don’t have to rely on artificial sweeteners.
Opt for stevia, raw honey, blackstrap molasses, Maple syrup, coconut sugar, or even dates.
I hope you get the value worth your time, I appreciate the time you spend with me. Leave a comment below if you find this article helpful and don’t forget to drop your question, opinion, or criticism if any. Cheers!
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