Is Sucralose Bad For You? Pros And Side Effects To Know

Know Your Ingredient: Sucralose

What Is It?
An artificial sweetener that is extracted from regular table sugar.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may help maintain blood sugar levels and keep your weight in check.

Who Can Consume It?
It can be consumed by everyone.

How Often?
You can consume 5 milligrams of sucralose per kilogram of body weight per day.

Caution
Excess consumption may cause bloating and tooth decay and kill good gut bacteria.

What Is Sucralose?

Sucralose is a highly potent artificial sweetener and is commonly used in various food products and beverages. It also has been approved for use globally. According to US Food and Drug Administration, this non-nutritive sweetener is 600 times sweeter than natural sugar (1).

However, sucralose is not digested by the body (like natural sugars) to produce energy. It also adds zero calories to your diet. It can be a good substitute for sugar if you are looking to reduce your calorie intake.

Did You Know?

Sucralose was discovered by scientists from Tate and Lyle while working at Queen Elizabeth’s College in 1976.

Is Sucralose Healthy? The Potential Pros

1. May Not Affect Blood Sugar Levels

Paula Doebrich, MPH and a registered dietitian nutritionist at Happea Nutrition, explains, “The structure of sucralose makes it unrecognizable to the body; therefore, the body cannot digest it. We get the taste of sugar without the calories or carbohydrates. This means it does not have any effect on blood sugar.”

Multiple studies have also shown that sucralose does not affect blood sugar levels, making it fit for consumption by people with diabetes (2), (3). However, a small study on people who had never used non-nutritive sweeteners concluded that their blood sugar and insulin levels increased after consuming sucralose (4). Hence, more studies are needed to understand this benefit of sucralose.

2. Does Not Impact Daily Caloric Intake

Sucralose may help one maintain a low-calorie diet while still enjoying sweets as it does not have any calories. “Because it helps curb sweet cravings without adding calories, it can help people significantly cut their intake of added sugars, especially from soda,” says Doebrich.

However, a majority of clinical studies report no significant or beneficial effects of artificial sweeteners on body weight and glycemic control (5).

While sucralose may help you keep your calorie intake in control, it may also cause certain adverse effects. Read on to learn more about the potential sucralose side effects that you might face.

Side Effects Of Sucralose

While studies have generally shown sucralose to be safe for human consumption, there have been some controversies surrounding the long-term safety of consuming sucralose, particularly regarding its potential impact on human health. Here are some common health risks or side effects of sucralose.

1. May Kill Good Gut Bacteria

Bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria promote digestion and gut health. Research on rodents suggests that sucralose may reduce these good bacteria in the gut while not affecting the bad bacteria (6).

The following graph was obtained from a letter that was submitted to the editor of the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology which examined the impact of sucralose on rats’ gut microbiota. In the study, Sucralose was given to rats for 12 weeks after which their fecal samples were examined for lactobacilli, a good bacteria that aids digestion. As seen in the graph, the administration of sucralose significantly reduced lactobacilli, even at the lowest dose of 1.1 mg/kg/d, or roughly one 12-ounce drink sweetened with sucralose for a 120-pound kid, teen, or woman.

Sucralose Disrupts Gut Microbiota

Lisa Richards, a nutritionist at The Candida Diet, weighs in saying, “Sucralose causes gastrointestinal irritation and bloating besides reducing the healthy gut bacteria. Generally, these bacteria help prevent bloating by improving overall gut health.” However, more human studies are warranted to understand this downside of sucralose.

2. May Become Harmful When Baked

Sucralose tends to break down when baked and interact with other ingredients, leaving behind a bitter taste when consumed. Cooking at high temperatures also causes sucralose to produce a compound called chloropropanol, which has carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties (7).

3. May Cause Bloating

Artificial sweeteners are linked to overeating, which, in turn, may cause bloating, says Ms. Richards. Diet sodas contain sucralose, the most common culprit of gas and bloating. This can negate any weight loss that may occur, she adds. However, more research is warranted to understand this phenomenon.

4. May Affect Dental Health

“Although sucralose is not as bad as sugar, studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can soften enamel by 30-50%. Citric acid and phosphoric acid are the main culprits behind tooth decay. Sugar is broken down by bacteria that release these acids. Unfortunately, these acids are also found in sugar-free candies and colas,” informs Evan McCarthy, a dental care expert and the founder of Sporting Smiles. However, more studies are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion in this regard.

5. May Increase The Risk Of Cancer

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) had classified sucralose as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans (8). A study conducted on rats showed that rats fed sucralose had higher rates of cancerous tumors compared to those who were not given sucralose. It also had increased rates of lymphoma and leukemia (9).

A French population-based cohort study done on 102,865 adults analyzes the association between artificial sweetener consumption and cancer risk. Sucralose was one of the main sweeteners contributing to 10% of intakes with 14% of consumers in the study population who consumed 15 mg per kg body weight per day. At the follow-up, 3,358 cancer cases were reported. In general, the study showed an increased risk of cancer in artificial sweetener consumers.

6. May Cause Kidney Damage

In a study, mice that consumed sucralose over a long period experienced kidney damage. Mice that drank water mixed with sucralose saw an elevation in kidney enzymes and damage in certain sections of the organ, while those that drank pure water did not experience any changes (10). Thus, kidney damage is one of the major sucralose health risks to watch out for.

7. May Cause DNA Damage

Another study found that sucralose damaged the DNA of human cells. The researchers tested the effects of sucralose on the blood cells in common carp and found that it caused genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities (11).

8. May Cause Behavioral Changes

In another study, rats that were fed sucralose exhibited behavioral changes including hyperactivity and anxiety. These behaviors could be caused by the ability of sucralose to mimic the effect of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and behavior (12).

Additionally, discontinuing sucralose may improve your energy level! Susan, who shares her life experiences on her blog, decided to stop using artificial sweeteners. She noticed that her energy level and brain functioning had improved. She writes, “I have much more energy than I have had in recent weeks, and I wake up feeling more alert — the fog is gone. I feel more like my old self, more like I should. I also noticed an immediate decrease in my carpal tunnel symptoms (i).”

These were some of the potential reasons why sucralose is bad for you. Wondering what to choose between sugar and artificial sugar? Or to put it in plain terms, is sucralose good or bad when compared to regular sugar? We have cleared this out for you in the following section.

Sucralose Vs. Sugar

Real sugar is naturally healthier, given that it is nature-derived. However, its excess intake may bring you as much trouble. Such people may switch over to artificial sweeteners like sucralose.

As stated, sucralose allows you to enjoy sweets while maintaining your blood sugar and insulin levels. It also helps you maintain a low-calorie diet. Both these goals may be difficult to achieve with sugar. While you need to consider the drawbacks of sucralose as well, remember that it has been scientifically approved for use globally. Ms. Doebrich recommends, “According to the FDA, the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of sucralose is 5 mg/kg/day.” So, consume it, but in small amounts.

Note: As per the Code of Federal Regulations, the additive may be used as a sweetener in foods generally (8).

Trivia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of sucralose in 15 categories of food in 1998 and as a general sweetener in 1999.

Both sucrose and sugar have their pros and cons/ But if you are looking for a more natural alternative, you can try stevia. But is it healthier than sucralose? Take a look in the next section.

Sucralose Vs. Stevia

Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener, but it can occasionally have a slightly bitter or metallic taste. Many people use it to cut down their calorie intake and is considered sweeter than sugar (13).

Sucralose, on the other hand, is artificially made from natural sugar and has no bitter taste.

While some prefer stevia because of its natural source, others prefer sucralose due to its delightful sweetness. It is important to note that both sweeteners should be consumed in moderation.

Infographic: Potential Benefits And Side Effects Of Sucralose

Sucralose has gained popularity as a sugar substitute in recent years. It reduces calorie intake and helps those who are trying to lose weight. It is also used by manufacturers in various snacks and beverages, such as diet soda. However, there are two sides to the coin, and sucralose has its fair share of benefits as well as side effects. Check out the infographic below to learn more about this artificial sweetener.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does sucralose make you fat?

No. Sucralose provides no calories and has no major effects on body weight or fat mass (9).

Does sucralose affect the liver?

Possibly. Sucralose administration had caused severe liver damage in mice (10). However, more research is warranted on humans.

Is sucralose safe for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers?

Generally, it is considered safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers when taken in moderation (14).

Is sucralose safe for children to consume?

Yes. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) authority, sucralose is safe for children to consume (15).

Does sucralose have any impact on appetite or hunger levels?

Yes. Anecdotal evidence suggests it is a low-calorie sweetener that may stimulate a desire for food intake by interfering with the body’s normal energy intake regulation. However, limited data is available to support this claim.

Are there any natural alternatives to sucralose as a sweetener?

Yes. You can use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar instead of sucralose as natural sweeteners.

Should I consult a healthcare professional before consuming products containing sucralose?

Yes. If you have any preexisting health concerns, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider before including sucralose in your routine to avoid any adverse effects.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reda ElmardiRDN

   

Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. He has more than 10 years of experience and has been an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Trainer since 2015. He shares sports nutrition tips and gives guidance on exercises, sports, and martial arts through his website. Reda is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt,...more

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Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. After her graduation, she decided to combine her knowledge of science and love for writing to...more

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