Sucralose Dangers: Sucralose, the sweetener that replaces sugar, whose brand name is Splenda, is 600 times sweeter than sugar, and has had many controversies about sucralose dangers, since its discovery in 1976. This zero calorie sugar substitute was discovered by scientists from a British refiner, Tate & Lyle Ltd. It was approved for use in the United States by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1998.

Should I be concerned re Sucralose Dangers?

The reason that sucralose has been surrounded by controversy is that it was discovered while trying to make a new insecticide, and that it also contains chlorine. Chlorine is a known carcinogen, but the maker of sucralose insists that the chlorine atom found in sucralose is the same as that found in common table salt.

There are those however, that believe that sucralose should be associated with organochlorides and not that of inorganic salt. The problem with organochlorides is that some of them build up in fatty tissues and are considered toxic. Whereas, sucralose in not fat soluble and cannot accumulate in fatty tissues.

There have been some safety concerns about sucralose, due to the testing that has been performed on animals and the side effects that have been exhibited. Some of which include, reduced growth rate, enlargement of the liver and kidneys, shrunken thymus gland, a decrease in the weight of the placenta and also a decrease in fetal body weights. These side effects also include a decrease in red blood cell counts, hyperplasia of the pelvis and increased cecal weight.

Even with these animal studies, debates and most of all controversies, the FDA still approves sucralose and has, in its defense reviewed more than 100 studies performed on sucralose. The FDA after an extensive review of all of the findings available to it has determines that sucralose poses no carcinogen, neurological or reproductive threat to humans.

All of which, of course, leaves the average consumer, like you and me, totally baffled! Between the debates, controversies, animal testing’s, we are still at a loss. Do we trust the findings of the FDA or do we side with the naysayers. The choice is up to you, the average consumer.

It should be noted though, that moderation with all types of sweeteners is the key, whether it be sugar or it be sucralose the recommended daily intake is 5mg/kg of body weight/ day. So as you can see this debate will rage on and sucralose dangers, if any, are still unknown.

Summary on Sucralose Dangers:

Sucralose dangers seem to be surrounded by big controversy and it is a hot topic of conversation among doctors, dietitians, scientists and the common man.  Some say there is great danger, such as enlargement of kidneys and liver and can be a threat to your unborn baby and others, such as the Food and Drug Administration, say there is no physical or mental risk to humans and that is it totally safe for daily consumption.

It would be a personal decision if you make the choice to add sucralose to your daily diet, but it is a good idea to remember that you want to keep your body humming along like a fine tuned machine and only the freshest, most natural (no processed) foods will make that happen.

There are many other diabetic low calorie options to choose from there is never the one choice.

Now that you know about sucralose dangers the ball is now firmly in court what action you will take.