The Side Effects Of Splenda Sweetener

Sucralose, popularly known in the market as SPLENDA Sweetener, is a non-calorie sweetener used as a substitute for common table sugar. According to the official website of SPLENDA, many people consider this artificial sweetener as a healthy option for those patients who want to cut their caloric content. SPLENDA gives food a taste 600 times sweeter than sugar. As mentioned in a study published by "AAOHN Journal" in June 2008, sugar serves as the parent molecule of sucralose. However, unlike sugar, sucralose passes the intestine undigested and unabsorbed.

Shrinking of The Thymus Gland

According to the above-mentioned study published by "AAOHN Journal," shrinking of the thymus gland, a special organ of the immune system located in the central portion of the upper chest area, usually occurs in patients who include sucralose in their diets. However, as mentioned in the study, this decrease in the size of the thymus gland is not due to toxicity induced by SPLENDA but rather a result of nutritional deficit brought about by reduced food intake.

Migraines

The consumption of SPLENDA may cause migraines. The study published by "AAOHN Journal" states that some case studies have reported the development of migraine, the severe, one-sided, throbbing type of headache, after the consumption of sucralose-containing testing solution. However, large-scale studies are still needed to further examine this possibility.

Change in Intestinal Bacteria

The term "gut microflora" refers to the normal bacterial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. The intestines contain a large numbers of resident bacteria which stabilize the environment within the digestive system and prevent the growth of potential disease-causing microorganisms. The regular consumption of Splenda may alter the microflora within the intestinal causing decreased resistance against pathogenic organism from the external environment, suggests a study published by the "Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health" in 2008. However, further clinical studies involving human subjects are necessary to further prove this dangerous side of effect of SPLENDA consumption in the human population.

Increased Function of Intestinal Cytochrome P-450

Cytochrome P-450 plays an important role in the synthesis and regulation of some hormones. Furthermore, it is also much involved in the metabolism of some drugs and potentially toxic chemical compounds. The increased activity of cytochrome P-450 may increase or decrease the effectiveness of some prescription medications resulting in the development of adverse drug interactions. According to the said study published by the "Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health," regular consumption of SPLENDA may induce an increase in the activity of Cytochrome P-450, which may alter the effectiveness of some orally administered drugs.