Many people enjoy drinking soft drinks but choose calorie-free diet versions made with artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose. Sucralose is better known as Splenda, which is made by chlorinating sugar molecules. It is marketed as natural because it is based on sugar, but the sugar industry sued the manufacturers of sucralose over this claim because it is chemically altered so much that it no longer resembles sugar. Although the government regards sucralose as safe, the sweetener still has some health risks.
Reduction of Beneficial Microflora
Sucralose changes the body's natural bacterial balance, according to a 2008 study led by Mohamed B. Abou-Donia at the Duke University Medical Center. Our bodies are made up of a balance of both positive and negative bacteria, and when these become imbalanced, the result can be greater susceptibility to illness and yeast infections.
Liver Problems
Sucralose may accumulate in the liver and cause liver damage, according to the Sucralose Toxicity Information Center. Splenda's literature also acknowledges that 15 percent of the sweetener is absorbed by the body's organs and tissues, although tests have not yet conclusively proven the results of the accumulation.
Neurological Reactions
According to a report on the website of Dr. Joseph Mercola, an alternative health expert and author of "Take Control of Your Health," some people have experienced neurological reactions after consuming sucralose, including headaches, anxiety and seizures. Other reported effects include allergy-related symptoms, such as nausea, itching, rash and swelling.
References
- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 2008: Splenda Alters Gut Microflora and Increases Intestinal P-Glycoprotein and Cytochrome P-450 in Male Rats
- Dr. Joseph Mercola: Is Splenda Making You Sick?
- Sucralose Toxicity Information Center: Toxicity Effects Seen in Research
- Dr. Joseph Mercola: The Secret Dangers of Splenda, an Artificial Sweetener
Member Comments