Alternate Names

Splenda

Description

An artificial sweetener made from sucrose (sugar) and chlorine molecules. It is often mixed with a bulking agent such as maltodextrin or dextrose to give it the granularity and appearance of table sugar. The most common brand name is Splenda. It is over 500 times sweeter than sugar and does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels. It is extremely common in processed foods and is marketed as diet friendly, "sugar-free" and "safe for diabetics."

Additional Information

Foods marked, "made with Splenda" are becoming increasingly common. Splenda is heat stable and can be used as a sugar substitute in baking. When consumed, the majority of sucralose is not broken down or absorbed by the body. It does not cause cavities. While many studies have been conducted on this sweetener, no large studies have been done on the long-term effects of sucralose.

Found In

baked goods, beverages, juice, soda, ice cream, Splenda packets in restaurants, processed foods

Possible Health Effects

A recent study from Duke University (also see researcher notes below) found that the consumption of Splenda in rats over a 12-week period caused "numerous adverse effects" including: a 50% reduction in beneficial bacteria in intestines, increased pH levels of intestines, and increases in body weight. In addition, it affects the P-glycoprotein in the body in such a way that prescription drugs could be rejected instead of absorbed as they were intended.

Allergy Information

Unknown

Researcher Comments

It is important to note that Duke University study cited in this research was Funded by the Sugar Association. This presents an interesting conflict of interest since the sugar association benefits from data finding Splenda and other non-sugar sweeteners harmful. However, due to the serious nature of the findings, we kept sucralose as a "D" rating. As additional studies are conducted, we will review and determine if a grade change is warranted.

Online Resources/Related

• Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Splenda alters gut microflora and increases intestinal p-glycoprotein and cytochrome p-450 in male rats., 2008, Abou-Donia MB, El-Masry EM, Abdel-Rahman AA, McLendon RE, Schiffman SS.
• Woman to Woman, Sugar substitutes and the potential danger of Splenda, Last Modified August 16, 2010, Marcelle Pick
• Food Navigator, Splenda may damage gut bacteria, boost weight gain: study, September 25, 2008, Stephen Daniells

Print Resources

• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008
• Minich, Deanna M. An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce. Conari Press, 2009
• Farlow, Christine Hoza, D.C.Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. KISS For Health Publishing, 2007 Revised Edition

Copyright September 12, 2010 Be Food Smart, Updated April 27, 2011