Does Sucralose Lower Blood Sugar?

sucralose It is semi-synthetic, non-nutritive (contains no calories or other nutrients) sweetener and alternative to sugar. It is derived from sugar and is made by replacing certain chemical compounds with chlorine.

Researchers have mainly examined the potential roles of sucralose in diabetes and weight management.

The following article covers the benefits, nutritional value, and safety considerations of sucralose.

What is Sucralose?

Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener derived from sucrose (table sugar). It is classified as non-nutritious because it provides no nutritional value.

Sucralose is estimated to be 600 times sweeter than sugar and is made by replacing three hydroxyl groups with three chlorine atoms. It is the most used artificial sweetener in the world.

Sucralose is sold under the brand name Splenda. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its use as a general-purpose food sweetener in 1999. Like other sweeteners, sucralose is often used to sweeten baked goods, beverages, gum, candy, canned foods, jellies, and some dairy products.

Sucralose is considered heat stable (it is not altered or destroyed by heat) and can be used to sweeten hot beverages such as coffee.

Security profile

In general, sucralose is considered safe for most people. However, there are concerns about some potential adverse effects.

The FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have stated that sucralose is safe to use, based on extensive human studies and toxicology reports. Both organizations have established acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) of sucralose.

The FDA approved 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) per day; which equals approximately 11 mg/pound. However, EFSA has approved 15 mg/kg (about 33 mg/pound) per day.

Despite these approvals, concerns remain regarding the overall safety of sucralose.

Various studies have found many potential safety issues with artificial sweeteners, including sucralose.

According to one review, sucralose negatively affected glucose levels and postprandial hormone responses. In preclinical studies, non-nutritive/non-calorie sweeteners have also been linked to bladder cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic kidney disease, especially when used excessively. However, more research is needed to prove these effects.

Sucralose may also alter the gut microbiome.

Some studies show that consuming sucralose in amounts greater than the ADI may lead to adverse changes in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome. This may be because sucralose is not fully digested and enters the intestine unchanged. But other studies have been inconclusive, and researchers cannot prove a direct relationship between sucralose consumption and microbiome changes.

Overall, more research may be needed on the safety of sucralose. To reduce the risk of adverse effects, it is recommended that you do not consume more than 5 mg/kg of sucralose per day for now.

Health Benefits of Sucralose

Sucralose has been associated with some potential health benefits.

Sucralose has no nutritional value. It also does not contain calories. Therefore, it may be suitable for people with certain health problems. Sucralose may also have dental health benefits.

Effect on Blood Sugar and Weight Management

Sucralose is thought to not raise blood sugar at least as much as table sugar. If true, sucralose could also help with weight control. Various studies have been conducted to prove these effects, but the results have been mostly inconclusive.

Research results on how sucralose affects blood sugar are unclear, according to a review of artificial sweeteners. Some studies have shown that sucralose actually increased blood sugar and insulin levels in participants.

In one small study, people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and people without diabetes used sucralose. Sucralose did not raise blood sugar in people without diabetes. However, blood sugar was still rising in diabetics.

When it comes to weight management, study results were also largely inconsistent.

Various animal studies have found positive results of sucralose on weight management. After one to eight weeks of sucralose use, weight was reduced and blood sugar levels improved in mice.

However, another animal study found that sucralose increased weight and fat mass in rats that consumed it for seven weeks.

Unfortunately, there are few studies on the effect of sucralose on body weight in humans. And existing studies show inconclusive results.

Interestingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) published new guidelines on the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control in 2023. According to the guidelines, people should not use sucralose and other artificial sweeteners to control body weight, as there is a lack of evidence in favor of their use. .

Dental health

Compared to sugar, sucralose may be better for your dental health.

Some studies show that sucralose does not cause tooth decay like sugar. In fact, sucralose is a commonly used ingredient in many oral health products.

Sucralose and similar artificial sweeteners are not metabolized to acids in the mouth like other sugars. Therefore, sucralose is not believed to cause cavities.

Sugar, on the other hand, is initially digested by enzymes present in the mouth, causing the sugar to become sticky and stick to the teeth.

However, this does not mean that products containing sucralose have no effect on your teeth.

Many foods and beverages containing sucralose also contain other ingredients known to cause mouth decay, especially if used excessively or if proper oral hygiene is not followed.

digestive health

Using sucralose may cause problems with your digestive health. This may be especially true if you use sucralose long term or in large amounts.

In a small human trial, healthy participants drank a beverage containing 48 mg of sucralose every day for 10 weeks. Compared to the control group, those who drank sucralose experienced intestinal problems. dysbiosis (germ imbalance) After 10 weeks.

But in another study, short-term sucralose use (just seven days) was not associated with gut microbiome changes in adult men.

Changes in the microbiome can also cause changes in digestion. This is because the bacteria in your gut are essential for normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Although it is believed that sucralose is not absorbed in the intestine, studies show that approximately 15% of the sweetener is absorbed.

Sucralose has also been shown to increase certain hormones that slow digestion and cause stomach upset in some people. Side effects such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating have also been associated with sucralose use.

It is recommended to limit sucralose intake to 5 mg/kg ADI per day to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

How to Use Sucralose?

Sucralose can be used in many different ways and is often used as a sugar substitute.

Some products you buy at the grocery store may already contain sucralose.

Common products containing sucralose are baked goods, beverages, chewing gum, gelatin, and frozen dairy desserts. Sucralose may be added to other products and may be listed in the ingredients list (sometimes as Splenda).

Some people use sucralose to sweeten their coffee or tea. You can purchase Sucralose in individual packages or in bulk.

Sucralose is said to be more heat stable than other artificial sweeteners. This means it can be used in some baking recipes and will remain sweet even when cooked at high temperatures.

The temperature at which sucralose remains heat stable is not well documented. Some reports suggest it is stable up to 350 degrees F, while others say sucralose remains intact up to 450 degrees F.

According to the Splenda website, baked goods may bake more quickly when they use their product (or other brands of sucralose) instead of sugar.

However, it is worth noting that a 2020 study found that sucralose can decompose when cooked at high temperatures, such as those used in baking. If this is true, sucralose could release potentially toxic chlorine substances if it gets too hot. More research is needed to prove these effects.

When using sucralose, remember that it is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar. This fact may change how much sucralose you use in recipes or when sweetening your coffee or tea.

Alternative Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners can be natural or synthetic.

The FDA has approved six synthetic sugar substitutes. These include sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K or as-K), neotame, advantageAnd saccharin.

Plus three natural sweeteners, steviol glycosidesmonk fruit and thaumatinIt has been deemed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA.

Natural sweeteners mostly come from plant sources.

Steviol glycosidesfor example, it comes from: stevia rebaudiana a member of the species stevia plant genus. This sugar substitute is most commonly sold under the brand name Stevia and is a popular natural option.

The stevia plant has been used for centuries for its sweet taste, but its use began to be commercialized in the 1970s.

Like sucralose, Stevia contains zero calories. Stevia’s sweetness comes from the leaves of the plant. Stevia is approximately 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Using any sugar substitute can cause side effects, so it’s important not to overuse them. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to use alternative sweeteners safely.

Is Sucralose Good for Me?

Sucralose may not be suitable for everyone.

You should avoid sucralose if you are allergic to sucralose or its ingredients. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, and shortness of breath.

Sucralose is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Interactions between sucralose and medications are not well documented.

While there are anecdotal concerns that sucralose may negatively affect medications used to treat cancer and heart disease, there is no solid evidence to support these claims. If you use these or any other medications, talk to a healthcare professional about whether you should use sucralose.

It’s also worth noting that some research shows that the use of sucralose and other artificial sweeteners may increase food cravings.

While using non-nutritive sweeteners may not directly increase your desire to eat more sweet foods, it may lead you to compensate for not eating sugary foods by turning to more sugary foods, according to one review. More research is needed to better understand this relationship.

The most important thing to remember when using sucralose is to enjoy it in moderation and avoid exceeding daily recommendations.

Summary

Sucralose is a zero-calorie sugar substitute. It is semi-synthetic and is considered an artificial sweetener.

Sucralose is marketed as a “better for you” alternative to sugar. Compared to sugar, sucralose is much lower in calories and is thought to be better for blood sugar control.

Research shows that sucralose may have some benefits over sugar, but it should still be used in moderation and may cause some negative effects.

The FDA has classified sucralose as safe for general use. However, the FDA recommends consuming no more than 5 mg/kg (about 11 mg/pound) of sucralose per day.

If you have questions about sucralose or want to know if it is a good choice for you, talk to a healthcare professional.