It’s assumed that a little sucralose is ok for most people. But scientists are concerned and have identified three ways in which the bad might outweigh the good:
Concern #1: Cooking With Sucralose May Not Be Safe
The first problem is what happens when sucralose is subjected to high temperatures, like when used for baking. Initially, the sucralose molecule was thought to be stable when heated. But studies found that when cooked, it undergoes chemical changes resulting in the formation of toxic compounds.
The concern is that these compounds, called chloropropanols and dioxins, are known carcinogens (meaning they could cause cancer). Given how often sucralose is used as a sugar substitute in baked goods, it’s important that the use of sucralose in cooked food be further evaluated for safety. (3)
In response to these findings, the company that produces Splenda conducted its own study which found it does not produce toxic chemicals when heated. (4) Suspicious? You decide. (This highlights the importance of critically reading studies and noticing any conflicts of interest.)
Concern #2: Sucralose Could Disrupt Your Gut Health
Gut health is super important but can be a little complicated to understand. To keep everyone on the same page, here’s a little background…
The billions of microbes that inhabit your digestive tract make up your gut microbiome. A healthy gut contains a variety of beneficial bacteria and yeasts. These tiny organisms play a huge role in your digestive health, detoxification system, metabolism, ability to fight germs, even emotional well-being.
Ideally, we want the beneficial organisms to far outnumber the harmful ones. You’ve probably heard of candida and e.coli—those are examples of microbes we don’t want, and they can thrive when there isn’t enough “good” bacteria to crowd them out. Lots of factors can throw off gut balance, especially what you eat and drink—including sucralose.
According to studies, sucralose can disrupt the balance of microbes in the gut. Believe it or not, these simple organisms are able to communicate with one another. Researchers think that sucralose interferes with the normal functioning of beneficial microbes by causing a glitch in their “communication”, thus creating an imbalance. (5)
Whenever harmful microbes in the gut outnumber beneficial ones, it’s called “dysbiosis.” Dysbiosis is linked to acute and chronic inflammation. This is a big deal! Why? Because many major health conditions are associated with chronic inflammation. (6)
Here are just some ways dysbiosis and chronic inflammation can affect your health:
- Mental health. Did you know about 95% of the body’s serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, digestion, and even sexual desire) is found in the gut, not the brain? (7) Dysbiosis affects how serotonin works in your body and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. (8)
- Autoimmune conditions. Research shows that poor gut health can affect the immune system. Disorders affecting the immune system like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s disease can be brought on or worsened by dysbiosis. (9)
- Food sensitivities: What you eat and drink inevitably interacts with the microbes living in your digestive tract. Scientists have established a correlation between gut dysbiosis and food sensitivities. (10)
- Cognitive impairment. As a result of the chronic inflammation dysbiosis can cause, poor gut health is linked to brain fog, cognitive impairments, and eventually Alzheimer’s disease. (11)
When you’re looking for a dietary supplement to help give you energy and sustained focus, one that contains an ingredient that deteriorates your underlying health is obviously counterproductive. This is a major reason Ethan’s doesn’t go near sucralose.
Concern #3: Sucralose Can Actually Contribute to Weight Gain
The real reason most people opt for artificial sweeteners like sucralose is to satisfy a sweet tooth while managing weight. However, this strategy can backfire, and long-term use can actually promote weight gain.
One simple reason is because artificial sweeteners, especially sucralose, are so much sweeter than real sugar. As a result, it’s possible to get too accustomed to overly sweetened foods which makes other healthier foods less appealing.
Sucralose is popular because in theory, it’s supposed to prevent blood sugar spikes that cause inflammation. Some studies do in fact show it does help keep blood sugar stable. (1) However, other studies suggest the opposite.
For example, a randomized, controlled trial of 33 healthy adults showed that even just 14 days of moderate sucralose intake (only 15% of the amount the FDA says is safe to consume) significantly reduced insulin sensitivity. (12) As we know, insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control go hand in hand.
Besides the potential to reduce insulin sensitivity, studies show yet another way sucralose can disrupt your metabolism. Remember how sucralose can throw off the balance of gut bacteria and cause inflammation? Well, chronic inflammation is also linked to diabetes and obesity.
The skinny on artificial sweeteners? A report published in the Canadian Medical AssociationJournal sums it up nicely: (13)
