A recent study highlights concerns about the artificial sweetener sucralose, commonly known as Splenda, revealing that it produces a genotoxic compound, sucralose-6-acetate, when metabolized. This compound can break DNA and is also present in trace amounts in the sweetener itself, exceeding safe toxicological thresholds as set by the European Food Safety Authority. Researchers found that sucralose-6-acetate induced genotoxicity in human blood cells and caused “leaky gut” by damaging the tight junctions of gut epithelial tissues, increasing gut permeability and allowing harmful substances into the bloodstream. Furthermore, exposure to this compound affected gene activity in gut cells, promoting oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential carcinogenic changes. Given these findings, which suggest significant health risks associated with sucralose consumption, the study’s authors advocate for a reevaluation of its safety and regulatory status. Susan Schiffman, the study’s lead author, emphasizes the importance of avoiding products containing sucralose. The study’s results raise serious questions about the long-term health impacts of artificial sweeteners, stressing the need for further investigation into their effects on human health. The research is published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.
