The Dangers of Sucralose
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Sucralose, more popularly known under the brand name Splenda, is the most popular artificial sweetener in the U.S., beating out Equal (aspartame) and Sweet ‘N Low (saccharin).
Sucralose has become the artificial sweetener of choice for many low-carb foods, including drinks, snacks and protein bars such as the South Beach Diet Meal Replacement Bars (Chocolate Crisp), Slim-Fast Optima (Milk Chocolate Peanut), MET-RX Protein Plus (Chocolate Fudge Deluxe) and Think Thin! (Chocolate Fudge).
Food manufacturers use artificial sweeteners because they taste like sugar but claim to have zero calories. However, studies published in the International Journal of Obesity and Behavioral Neuroscience suggest that artificial sweeteners may actually lead to an increased consumption of calories and weight gain.
Eating a meal replacement bar laced with artificial sweeteners may not help you lose weight after all.
However, increased caloric intake is just one of the problems associated with using sucralose, which is actually sugar molecules transformed into a synthetic chemical.
The sucralose manufacturing process involves chlorine, a poisonous gas. The inventor of sucralose was actually trying to create a new insecticide but he decided to market his product as food after he accidentally tasted it and found it to be sweet.
Sucralose is only 25 percent water soluble, meaning the remaining 75 percent may explode in your body. Your body cannot properly metabolize sucralose because it does not occur in nature. There have been no long-term human toxicity studies conducted on sucralose but animal studies show that this artificial sweetener may result in agitation, birth defects, cancer, fertility issues, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, irregular heartbeat, kidney and liver damage, shortness of breath and a weakened immune system.
Dr. Joseph Mercola’s patients and subscribers to his natural health website have reported sucralose reaction symptoms including acne, body and chest pains, diarrhea, emotional problems, headaches, itchiness, nausea, seizures, stomach cramps and vomiting.
Still want to take a bite out of that sucralose-sweetened protein bar?
Dr. Mercola’s cocoa cassava bars are 100 PERCENT FREE from artificial sweeteners. The cocoa cassava bar uses chocolate chips made from cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, GMO-free soy lecithin and vanilla; cocoa butter; and Dutched cocoa powder to provide a rich chocolate taste to complement the health benefits provided by the three ”superfoods” – extra virgin coconut oil, flaxseed and Proserum® Whey.
Though sugar is not the healthiest of foods, real sugar is still far better than artificial sweeteners. Sweets, eaten in moderation, and in the form of a natural health bar such as the cocoa cassava bar, can be good for you.
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