Does Sucralose Lower Blood Sugar?

A registered dietitian nutritionist explains the pros and cons of this sugar alternative.

Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND

Sucralose is a semisynthetic, nonnutritive (no calories or other nutrients) sweetener and alternative to sugar. It's derived from sugar and is made by replacing certain chemical compounds with chlorine.

Researchers have mainly studied sucralose's potential roles in diabetes and weight management.

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

What Is Sucralose?

Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener derived from sucrose (table sugar). It is classified as nonnutritive because it does not provide nutritional value.

Sucralose is estimated to be 600 times sweeter than sugar and is made by substituting three hydroxyl groups with three chlorine atoms. It is the most commonly 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, drinks, gum, candy, canned foods, jellies, and some dairy products.

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

Safety Profile

In general, sucralose is considered safe for most people to use. However, there are concerns regarding some of its potential adverse effects.

Based on their extensive research of human trials and toxicology reports, the FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have deemed sucralose safe to use. Both organizations have also set acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) of sucralose.

The FDA has approved 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) per day, equal to about 11 mg/pound. However, the 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 several potential safety issues with artificial sweeteners, including sucralose.

According to one review, sucralose negatively impacted glucose levels and post-meal hormone responses. In preclinical studies, nonnutritive/no-calorie sweeteners have also been linked to bladder cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic kidney disease, mainly when used in excess. 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 negative changes to the diversity and composition of your gut microbiome. This may be because sucralose is not fully digested and enters the gut unchanged. However, other studies have been inconclusive, and researchers can't prove a direct correlation between sucralose consumption and microbiome changes.

Overall, more research may be warranted regarding the safety of sucralose. For now, consuming no more than 5 mg/kg of sucralose per day is recommended to lower your risk of adverse effects.

Health Benefits of Sucralose

Sucralose has been linked to certain potential health benefits.

Sucralose lacks nutritional value. It also doesn't contain calories. For this reason, it may be a good fit for people with certain health conditions. Sucralose may also have benefits for dental health.

Impact on Blood Sugar and Weight Management

Sucralose is thought to not raise blood sugar, at least not to the same degree as table sugar. If true, sucralose may also help with weight management. Several studies have been conducted to prove these effects, but results have mostly been inconclusive.

According to a review of artificial sweeteners, research results regarding how sucralose affects blood sugar have been unclear. In some studies, sucralose actually raised blood sugar and insulin levels in participants.

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

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

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

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

Unfortunately, there are very few studies on the impact of sucralose on body weight in humans. And the studies that are available show inconclusive results.

Interestingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines for artificial sweetener use for weight control in 2023. Per the guidelines, people should not use sucralose and other artificial sweeteners to control body weight due to a lack of evidence in favor of their use.

Dental Health

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

Some research shows that sucralose does not cause tooth decay the same way that sugar can. In fact, sucralose is a common ingredient in many oral health products.

Sucralose and other similar artificial sweeteners are not metabolized in the mouth to acids like other sugars are. For this reason, sucralose isn't believed to lead to cavities.

On the other hand, sugar is initially digested by enzymes in the mouth that cause it to become sticky and adhere to teeth.

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

Many foods and drinks containing sucralose contain other ingredients known to cause oral decay, especially if used in excess or if proper oral hygiene is not followed.

Digestive Health

Using sucralose may lead to issues with your digestive health. This may be especially true if you use sucralose long-term or in large quantities.

In a small human trial, healthy participants drank a beverage that contained 48 mg of sucralose every day for 10 weeks. Compared to a control group, those who drank sucralose were found to have gut dysbiosis (imbalance of microbes) by the end of the 10 weeks.

In another study, however, short-term use of sucralose (just seven days) was not related to gut microbiome changes in adult males.

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

Although sucralose is believed to be unabsorbed in the gut, research shows that about 15% of the sweetener is, in fact, absorbed.

Additionally, sucralose has been shown to increase certain hormones that may slow digestion and cause upset stomach in some people. Side effects like diarrhea, gas, and bloating have also been linked to sucralose use.

To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, it's recommended that you limit sucralose intake to the ADI of 5 mg/kg per day.

How to Use Sucralose

Sucralose can be used in many different ways and is typically used as a replacement for sugar.

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

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

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

Sucralose is said to be more heat stable than other artificial sweeteners. This means that it may 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 that it is stable up to 350 degrees F, while others say that sucralose remains intact up to 450 degrees F.

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

It's worth noting, however, that a 2020 study found that sucralose may decompose when cooked at high temperatures, such as those used in baking. If true, sucralose may release potentially toxic chlorine substances if it becomes too hot. More research is needed to prove these effects.

When using sucralose, remember it is about 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 may be natural or synthetic.

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

Additionally, three natural sweeteners, steviol glycosides, monk fruit, and thaumatin, have been deemed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA.

Natural sweeteners mostly come from plant sources.

Steviol glycosides, for example, come from the Stevia rebaudiana species, a member of the Stevia genus of plants. 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 its sweet taste for centuries, but its use became commercialized in the 1970s.

Like sucralose, Stevia contains zero calories. The sweetness of Stevia is extracted from the plant's leaves. Stevia is about 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Using any sugar substitute may cause side effects, so it's important not to use them excessively. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to safely use alternative sweeteners.

Is Sucralose Good for Me?

Sucralose may not be a good fit for everyone.

You should avoid sucralose if you're allergic to it or its components. Seek immediate medical attention if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, including itching, hives, and shortness of breath.

Sucralose is thought to be safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions between sucralose and medications are not well-documented.

While anecdotal concerns exist that sucralose may negatively affect medications used to treat cancer and heart disease, there isn't solid evidence to back up these claims. If you take these or other medications, talk with a healthcare provider about whether you should use sucralose.

It's also worth noting that some research shows that using sucralose and other artificial sweeteners may increase food cravings.

According to one review, while using nonnutritive sweeteners may not directly increase your desire to eat more sweet foods, it may instead lead you to compensate for not eating sugary foods by reaching for more sugary foods. More research is needed to understand this relationship better.

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 semisynthetic and is characterized as an artificial sweetener.

Sucralose has been 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 adverse 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.

Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about sucralose or want to know if it's a good choice for you.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.