Sugar is sweet, but it can lead to health problems if we eat too much. So, many people use substitutes called artificial sweeteners.
These taste like sugar but have fewer calories. However, a recent study suggests that one popular sweetener may not be as safe as we thought.
The Sweetener in Question: Sucralose
Sucralose, which you might know as Splenda, is one of the most common artificial sweeteners. It’s used in many foods and drinks. But scientists have found something troubling about it.
The Problem: A Chemical called Sucralose-6-Acetate
When we eat sucralose, our bodies change it into a few different chemicals. One of these is called sucralose-6-acetate. The study discovered that this chemical is “genotoxic.”
This means it can break up DNA, the instructions that tell our cells what to do. This can be harmful and even cause diseases.
The Study and Its Findings
The scientists did several experiments for the study. They used human blood cells and gut cells. They exposed these cells to sucralose-6-acetate and watched what happened.
The chemical broke up the DNA in the blood cells. And when they exposed the gut cells to it, it damaged the gut wall.
The gut wall became “leaky,” allowing things to pass through it that should be staying inside. This can lead to other problems, as these substances can enter the bloodstream.
Moreover, the gut cells exposed to the chemical started behaving differently. They began to show signs of stress and inflammation, and they acted in ways that might lead to cancer.
What Does This Mean for Us?
The scientists say these findings raise questions about whether sucralose is safe to eat. This is because they found small amounts of sucralose-6-acetate in sucralose itself, not just after we eat it.
So, even if you only have a little bit of sucralose, you might be exposed to this potentially harmful chemical.
The researchers believe that it’s time to take another look at sucralose’s safety. They suggest people might want to avoid foods and drinks that contain it.
After all, our health is important, and it’s best to stay on the safe side.
What Comes Next?
This study is a step toward understanding the effects of sucralose on our bodies. But there’s still a lot more to learn.
Scientists will continue researching to ensure our sweeteners are safe. So, always stay informed about the latest research to make the best choices for your health.
If you care about health, please read studies about foods that could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The study was published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B.
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