Sucralose (Splenda)

An excerpt from my book Home Safe Home:

Sucralose (Splenda) is the newcomer to the artificial sweeteners market. Though it sounds good when advertisements say it is "made from sugar," what they don't tell you is that parts of the natural sugar molecule are replaced with chlorine. In 1998, the FDA granted approval for sucralose to be used in a variety of food products. It is not yet approved for use in most European countries, where it is still under review.

There are very few studies on the safety of sucralose. In comparison to the 2374 studies done on saccharin, sucralose has only 19. There are no studies on long-term use. One small study of diabetic patients showed a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin a1C, a marker of long-term blood glucose levels used to assess the condition of diabetic patients. According to the FDA, "increases in glycosolation in hemoglobin imply lessening of control of diabetes."

Consumers Research magazine said, "Some concern was raised about sucralose being a chlorinated molecule. Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis for pesticides such as D.D.T., and accumulate in body fat." The manufacturer responded that sucralose passes through the body unabsorbed, but the FDA disagrees. According to their "Final Rule" report, 11% to 27% of sucralose is absorbed in humans, and the rest is excreted unchanged. The manufacturer also claims that the chlorine added to sucralose is similar to the chlorine atom in the salt (NaCl) molecule, but others say sucralose may be more like ingesting tiny amounts of chlorinated pesticides. By the time we find out, consumers may already be harmed.

Sucralose Toxicity Info Center
An extensive list of links about the health effects of aspartame.

Truth About Splenda
Advocacy organization with many articles.

Dr. Mercola: The Potential Dangers of Sucralose

Dr. Mercola: Testamonials of Health Effects of Splenda

Dr. Mercola: Splenda's Deceptive Marketing Campaign