Studies have uncovered evidence of an acid produced when digesting popular sweeteners is genotoxic, meaning it breaks up DNA. Trace amounts of this chemical can also be found within sweeteners themselves and raise concerns over whether they might play any part in health problems.
Sucralose, commonly marketed under its brand name Splenda(r), was examined in this research study. Previous work conducted by these same researchers had demonstrated that upon ingestion of sucralose fat-soluble chemicals are produced in the gut after its ingestion; one such fatty chemical produced is sucralose-6-acetate.
This study confirmed the genotoxicity of sucralose-6-acetate. Additionally, trace amounts were discovered within regular sucralose even prior to consumption and metabolism.
The European Food Safety Authority sets a daily micrograms per individual toxicological limit for sucralose-6-acetate trace amounts found in beverages sweetened with sucralose, which exceed this limit, without even accounting for its possible formation as metabolites following consumption of sucralose. This study shows that sucralose-6-acetate amounts found in one beverage sweetened with sucralose surpass that limit and that is without considering possible formation as metabolites following consumption of the sweetener.
Researchers conducted several in vitro experiments to gather information for their study that exposed blood cells to sucralose-6-acetate and then observed them for signs of genotoxicity markers.
Researchers found that sucralose-6-acetate dramatically damaged DNA within cells exposed to it, in both vitro tests and those exposing gut tissue directly.
Recent research has established that sucralose can negatively impact gut health. When gut epithelial tissues were exposed to sucralose and sucralose-6-acetate, researchers observed both chemical compounds led to “leaky gut”, making the gut wall more permeable while damaging interfaces where cells connect.
Leaky gut syndrome can be problematic, since much of what should normally pass out of our digestive systems is now getting into our bloodstream instead of leaving via normal means – in other words, our normal process for eliminating waste through our feces has now broken down and many unwanted substances have leaked through.
As part of this study, gut cell genetic activity was also assessed to see how cells responded to sucralose-6-acetate.
Increased activity was found among genes related to carcinogenicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress when gut cells exposed to sucralose-6-acetate.
This study raises several issues concerning potential adverse health effects associated with sucralose and its metabolites, prompting regulators and safety bodies to reassess it as more evidence indicates serious health risks posed by it.
Researchers advise individuals to avoid sucralose-containing products as it’s something we shouldn’t consume regularly.
