Sucralose, the most widely used artificial sweetener in the United States, forms a genotoxic chemical during digestion, suggesting potential health risks. This genotoxic substance, sucralose-6-acetate, damages DNA, an alarming finding given its presence in trace amounts in off-the-shelf sucralose before consumption.
Research indicates that the trace amounts of sucralose-6-acetate in a single daily drink sweetened with sucralose exceed the European Food Safety Authority’s toxicological concern threshold. This threshold does not account for additional sucralose-6-acetate produced as metabolites after sucralose consumption.
Experiments exposing human blood cells to sucralose-6-acetate revealed markers of genotoxicity. In essence, the substance broke up DNA in cells exposed to it. This genotoxicity was also found in human gut tissues exposed to the substance.
Previous research has suggested sucralose’s adverse effects on gut health, and further investigation confirmed this. Sucralose and sucralose-6-acetate damage the ‘tight junctions’ or interfaces where gut wall cells connect, leading to a ‘leaky gut.’ This increased gut permeability allows substances usually eliminated through feces to leak from the gut into the bloodstream.
Genetic activity in gut cells exposed to sucralose-6-acetate also showed alarming changes. The cells exhibited increased activity in genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and carcinogenicity.
In light of this evidence, the safety and regulatory status of sucralose warrant reconsideration. People are encouraged to avoid products containing sucralose.
The World Health Organization has recently discouraged the use of non-sugar sweeteners, including sucralose, to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. Despite this, the Food and Drug Administration approved sucralose for use in 15 food categories in 1998, and as a general-purpose sweetener a year later.
Sucralose-based product Splenda is the most common of its kind. Its sugar-like taste makes it a popular choice for manufacturers creating low-calorie products. Splenda Sucralose is produced by Tate & Lyle PLC, the sole manufacturer of the zero-calorie sweetener invented over 40 years ago.
Other brand names under which sucralose has been sold include Cukren, Zerocal, Nevella, Canderel Yellow, and SucraPlus. Despite the mounting evidence against sucralose, organizations like the Calorie Control Council emphasize its rigorous study by global scientific and regulatory authorities and maintain its safety for consumption.
Photo by Alexander Grey