Splenda is an artificial sweetener made from sucralose, a synthetic compound derived from sugar and chlorine molecules. Splenda contains no calories, and is used in many diet products, such as soft drinks and snack foods. While Splenda is a widely used product, sucralose can cause uncomfortable side effects for some people, especially those with allergies. McNeil Nutritionals, the company that makes Splenda, claims its product is safe for consumption and has not, as of 2010, been definitively linked to any side effects.
Headaches
The Women to Women website claims that Splenda can cause headaches. Splenda can be a migraine trigger, leading to severely painful headaches after consumption. Researchers have not extensively studied a possible link between Splenda and migraines, according to the Headache and Migraine News website. Splenda does not cause headaches in everyone who uses sucralose as a sweetener. The makers of Splenda say their products have not been shown to trigger migraines. If you suffer from headaches you think could be the result of consuming Splenda, try eliminating sucralose from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
Stomach Problems
Splenda can cause stomach discomfort and illness, according to the Women to Women site. Consuming products that contain Splenda may cause gas and bloating, or even diarrhea and constipation. Intestinal cramps and stomach pain often accompany these symptoms. People who have allergies to sucralose are particularly likely to experience digestive upset after ingesting Splenda. If you think Splenda might be causing stomach upset or digestive problems, talk to your doctor to see if you may have an allergy or sensitivity to sucralose. You can also try replacing Splenda with another type of sweetener to see if your symptoms subside.
Other Symptoms
The Women to Women website lists a host of other side effects of consuming Splenda, including dizziness, numbness, anxiety, skin rashes, swelling, muscle aches, and bladder problems. On the People's Chemist website, Shane Ellison, a chemist and author of "Over-The-Counter Natural Cures," claims that the type of chlorine used to produce Splenda could lead to weakened immune systems, irregular heartbeats, liver and kidney damage, birth defects, and cancer in people who consume sucralose on a regular basis. Long-term studies to determine the safety of using Splenda have not been performed as of 2010, although the company that makes Splenda claims that the product is safe to consume.
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