Sucralose is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners in the United States and most parts of the world, especially for those cautious about their calorie intakes and sugar levels. In the United States, sucralose is considered an ideal artificial sweetener that is safe to consume. Although Sucralose is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is considered safe to eat, studies have shown that Sucralose can lead to problems of cancer and disrupt gut bacteria in the body.
Sucralose applications
Usually sold under the brand name Splenda, Sucralose was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998. Today, Sucralose is used in more than 6,000 food products across the United States, especially common in brand names such as Diet Coke and Pepsi. The widespread use of sucralose, especially under the brand name Splenda, has not only accelerated the popularity of the artificial sweetener but has also captured the attention of critics.
Unlike sugar, Sucralose is considered a better alternative and has always been championed as a healthier option than sugar. Sucralose was found to be 600 times sweeter than sugar as well as very stable under high temperatures and acid media. The high heat stability makes sucralose perfect for cooking and baking without breaking down, unlike other kinds of artificial sweeteners. In addition, the clean and mild taste of sucralose means it does not leave an aftertaste like other artificial sweeteners on the market.
Safety and regulatory status
Sucralose contains zero calories as a non-nutritive sweetener, which makes the artificial sweetener a better substitute for natural sugar that contains high calories. According to a study in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, the consumption of sucralose as an artificial sweetener has become one way for consumers to decrease their calorie intake since an average adult consumes at least 300 calories per day in added sugar.
An extensive study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found little to no adverse effects related to the application of sucralose as an artificial sweetener for food. Out of 110 safety studies conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the FDA found very little evidence to suggest safety issues related to the use of sucralose as a general-purpose sweetener.
Alternative studies say otherwise
Sucralose has been linked to the development of cancer-related diseases. One example of such studies is the research by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which found that sucralose over a long period caused leukemia among male mice tested in a laboratory. Although the outcome of this research study was mainly observed in male mice, the findings are still something to be a concern among humans, especially if Sucralose is still being presented as a healthier alternative to sugar.
Splenda, the brand name for sucralose was found to be deceptively marketed in campaigns. In 2007, a French court banned slogans that made the claim, “Because it comes from sugar, sucralose tastes like sugar,” which was determined to be misleading not only in France but also in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
Contrary to the claim that sucralose was made from sugar, records have it that it was in fact first created in 1976 when a lab assistant misunderstood the instructions of his boss to test a chemical they were working on. Instead, the assistant tasted the chemical compound instead of “testing” it and found it to taste as sweet as sugar. However, sucralose does not contain any natural sugar as the artificial sweetener is solely made from a combination of chemical compounds such as sucralose molecules and chlorine molecules. The absence of natural sugar in sucralose also fueled doubts among critics on the possible side effects possessed by the artificial sweetener.
Here is what studies on the health effects of sucralose have found
Healthy bacteria disruption
Sucralose has been attributed to disrupting healthy gut bacteria, which could lead to digestive problems in the long run. A study on the potential effects of sucralose on gut bacteria found that sucralose may alter the balance of gut bacteria, which could cause glucose intolerance.
Glucose intolerance
Overconsumption of sucralose has also been determined to exacerbate glucose intolerance as the metabolic system of the body tends to be altered,mimicking signs of obesity. Some studies suggest that the physiology and metabolism of the host consuming sucralose in large doses over a long period may alter the function of microbiota in regulating the effects brought about by high sucralose intake. For diabetic patients, excessive consumption of sucralose is not recommended in this situation.
Weight gain
Despite the common belief that sucralose is a healthier option than natural sugar or other artificial sweeteners, sucralose has been found to contribute to excessive weight gain. A study that compared people that did not consume any artificial sweeteners in their beverage with people that did consume artificial sweeteners for 7 to 8 year period to reduce their weight or control their energy balance, found that those who consumed actually added more weight instead. This means that sucralose over a long period does not help reduce weight. But as compared to natural sugar, sucralose was found to be a much better option due to its lack of calories.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, popular among men and women in different stages of their lives, is one of the cancer-related diseases that is attributed to the overconsumption of sucralose as an artificial sweetener.
Although common in countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Colorectal cancer is linked to sucralose because the artificial sweetener alters the gut bacteria. According to a study in Oncology, sucralose was found to cause an inflammatory bowel disease, which is a devastating inflammatory disease of the gut that eventually leads to colorectal cancer.
As a zero-calorie artificial sweetener, sucralose has played a crucial role around the world as a sugar substitute in many food and beverage products. However, artificial sweeteners have some side effects that possess potential health problems for consumers over a long period.
Although studies are not quite conclusive, what is coming out is that high-dose consumption of sucralose has been found to lead to some possible health problems from leukemia, obesity, glucose intolerance, and weight gain to colorectal cancer.