Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that contains zero or very few calories. Pharmacies sell it under the brand name Splenda. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food additive, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than table sugar.
People with diabetes may consider using sucralose as a sugar substitute so it will not affect their blood sugar levels. However, some research has pointed out that sucralose may have a negative effect on the blood glucose levels of people with diabetes.
Is there a connection between sucralose and increased blood sugar levels?
Sucralose is a sugar substitute approved as a general-purpose sweetener by the FDA. Sucralose is heat stable, meaning it doesn’t lose its sweetness in high temperatures. Baked goods, frozen desserts, and gelatins contain sucralose.
Experts considered sucralose a safe sugar substitute with zero calories and a low risk of increasing blood sugar levels. However, in May 2023, according to the World Health Organization, artificial sweeteners like sucralose can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
Research has found that artificial sweeteners can increase blood sugar levels and that steady and regular consumption can raise the risk factors for developing diabetes.
Does sucralose spike your blood sugar?
Some studies indicate that sucralose does increase blood sugar levels.
A 2022 study suggests that sucralose increases your blood sugar because it affects the gut microbiome, which in turn affects glycemic response or how our bodies react after consuming sugar or carbohydrates.
A 2018 study found that regular consumption of sucralose may result in insulin resistance. The pancreas produce insulin that helps regulate sugar in the blood. If you have insulin resistance, your blood sugar levels can increase.
Sucralose increased blood sugar levels in people by 14% in people with severe obesity, according to a small and older study from 2013.
However, each of these studies points out that more research is needed to understand if sucralose increases blood sugar levels.
Risks of sucralose
Besides the potential of increasing blood sugar levels, sucralose has links with other serious health conditions.
A 2022 study found that sucralose increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions, stroke, and coronary heart disease, and its long-term consumption can lead to insulin resistance.
When digested, sucralose is genotoxic, meaning it can alter the structure and damage the DNA in your cells. A 2023 study found that sucralose broke down the DNA in the cells and led to problems with the digestive system, such as leaky gut syndrome.
A 2020 study found that even though sucralose is heat stable, cooking foods that contain sucralose at high temperatures may break down the composition of the artificial sweetener and produce toxic chlorinated compounds.
Treatment options for diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition with no cure, but people with diabetes can manage its symptoms with medication and lifestyle measures.
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Get free cardMedications that help manage diabetes and blood sugar levels include:
- alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, such as acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset)
- amylin analogs such as pramlintide (Symlin)
- metformin (Riomet)
- meglitinides such as nateglinide (Starlix) and repaglinide (Prandin)
Lifestyle measures are just as important as medications in the management of diabetes. Some lifestyle strategies you can practice to maintain your blood sugar levels at a moderate level include:
- maintaining a moderate weight.
- eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- doing a physical activity for 150 minutes a week
- getting enough sleep, between 7 and 9 hours a day
- reducing stress through practices like meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga
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Summary
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute. It is 600 times sweeter than sugar and has very low calories.
Because of these characteristics, people with diabetes use sucralose to flavor their foods and drinks to avoid the risk of increasing their blood sugar levels. However, recent research has pointed out that sucralose can indeed raise sugar levels and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Other studies have pointed out that sucralose can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and digestive and immune issues.
If you’re taking sucralose as a sugar substitute, talk with a healthcare professional, such as a dietician or nutritionist, about other alternatives. They can also suggest lifestyle and diet strategies that help keep your blood sugar levels in a moderate range.
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