Is Splenda Really Sugar?
Experiencing Splenda side effects? Here are some things to know about Splenda. The chemical name of Splendais sucralose. While sucralose is indeed a sugar molecule, it is the process by which it’s manufactured that raises concern. Sucralose is an artificial chemical that is produced in a five-step patented process. During this process, three chlorine molecules are added to a sucrose molecule. The initial, natural sugar molecule is a disaccharide that contains two single sugars bound together; glucose and fructose.
The chemical process to make sucralose changes the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it is converted into a molecule that does not normally occur in nature. Because this artificial molecule is not naturally occuring, the body does not know how to process it. According to the manufacturers of Splenda, this is the very reason why Splenda is calorie neutral — it is not broken down or digested by the body. Splenda merely travels through the digestive system without depositing any calories.
This is misleading, however, as Splenda’s zero calorie status would only be valid if the body did have the capability to metabolize it. More troubling, the fact that Splenda is a wholly artificial ingredient elicits questions about its safety, especially if used in unsparing amounts over a long period of time. There is the further problem of insulin response. While research findings are still inconclusive, the medical community widely hypothesizes that Splenda triggers an increase in insulin levels, which, whether or not calories are present, will signal the body to hold on to fat reserves or even store more fat.