Sucralose

Sucralose  

"A Sweet Analysis" 

Written by: Geraldhine Lopez

December  2018

Lopez, G.V. (Photographer). (2018). Splenda Background Image [photograph]. Calgary, Canada

                

Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener, also known as Splenda®. This artificial sweetener is about 600 times more powerful than sucrose (1) or regular table sugar. Because it has no calories it is loved by many people, specially those health conscious people who rather eat or drink the diet version of their favourite food to still enjoy the sweetness, but save some extra calories. 

The discovery of sucralose happened in 1976 after a group chemists were working on a project adding halogens to sugar (sucrose) to see the effect (3). A short version of the story says that a chemist named Shashikant Phadnis was instructed to "test" the substance in front of him, apparently he thought he was asked to "taste" it (3). 

Structurally, sucralose is just like sucrose; it has two rings, one called glucose which is attached to a one called fructose. But what is interesting is that even though sucralose has the same two rings, the hydrogen and oxygen atoms called hydroxyl group (OH), found in positions 1, 4 and 6 are replaced with chlorine atoms (2). 

The production of sucralose or Splenda® occurs in five steps, each step uses chemicals that remove the OH groups mentioned above and add the Cl or chlorine atoms. The process of making sucralose is called chlorination of sucrose (3). 

There is a lot controversial information that supports or discredits sucralose. It is a fact that sucralose does not have calories and may be the number one choice of many people, but it is important to keep in mind that it is not produced naturally and there are risks associated.  For instance, high blood sugar levels, high insulin levels and the disruption of our microbiota (6), which is the good bacteria in our gut.  Sucralose has been studied for about 20 years and research studies say that it is generally safe (4). However, as more research is done this assumption may change. 

Finally, even though sucralose is not confirmed to be dangerous for human health, there are other ways to avoid regular sugar, you can use natural sweeteners like raw honey, maple syrup, monk fruit or stevia (in its natural form!) (5). 

References: 

1 Davidson, P. M., & Singh, R. P. (2018, August 03). Food additive. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive#ref502248 

2   Rodero, A. B., Rodero, L. D., & Azoubel, R. (2009). Toxicity of Sucralose in Humans: A Review. International Journal of Morphology, 27(1). doi:10.4067/s0717-  95022009000100040

3  Starr, J. (2011). WEIRD SCIENCE: How Splenda Was Discovered. Retrieved from http://www.janethull.com/newsletter/0209/weird_science_how_splenda_was_discovered.php

4. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener FAQs | SPLENDA®. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.splenda.com/faqs

5 Price, A. (2018, November 09). Natural Sweeteners & Sugar Alternatives. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/natural-sweeteners/