Sweetener may damage DNA and increase cancer risk

Sucralose’s regulatory approval is based on studies that assume it passes through the body unchanged.

But the authors of the new study point to previous research showing that some intestinal bacteria can convert sucralose into a similar molecule called sucralose-6-acetate.

This compound is also found in small amounts in some commercial sucralose products, they added, a byproduct of the manufacturing process.

In the new study, when researchers exposed human blood cells to sucralose-6-acetate, they found it caused DNA breaks. This could potentially increase the risk of cancer or other health problems.

Regulatory agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority set the maximum levels of sucralose-6-acetate allowed in food products.

However, the amount of this chemical in a single serving of a drink containing sucralose could be high enough to potentially damage DNA, the authors of the new study pointed out.

People can also be exposed to even higher levels when gut bacteria convert sucralose to sucralose-6-acetate, they said.

Other lab experiments conducted by the researchers raised further concerns about the potential impact of this chemical on the body.

In one test, researchers exposed human intestinal tissue to sucralose-6-acetate, finding that it increased the activation of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress. and cancer.

They also found that sucralose-6-acetate — and sucralose itself — damaged the junctions that hold the cells that line the human gut together, causing the gut to leak.

This could allow gut microbes and molecules to move from the gut into the body, including those that would normally pass out of the body in the stool.

A leaky gut is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and can contribute to chronic liver disease.

In response to the new study, a spokesperson for the International Sweeteners Association pointed out that the safety of sucralose has been confirmed by global food safety and regulatory bodies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Authority. European food safety.

“Sucralose has undergone one of the most extensive and thorough testing programs of any food additive in history, resulting in consensus on its safety throughout the world. global scientific and regulatory community,” they said.

Additionally, they stated that sucralose-6-acetate levels in sucralose products are “tightly controlled by robust manufacturing processes.”

However, testing done during manufacturing would not account for the sucralose-6-acetate created by gut bacteria from sucralose.

Although lab tests don’t always translate to actual harm in people — which depends on how much people eat and other factors — they do point to the potential risks of ingesting chemicals.

Given the results of the new study and other recent research, the authors of the article called for a new regulatory review of the health effects of sucralose in food products.

Healthline has also contacted Splenda to see if they have a comment on the research, but have yet to hear back.

Kate Cohen, a registered dietitian at the Ellison Clinic, part of the Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine and Providence Saint John’s Health Center, in Los Angeles, Calif., said the new study raises another red flag about potential risks for the health of certain artificial sweeteners.

This includes sucralose.

In a study published in 2022 in The BMJa group of French researchers found that sucralose consumption was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and coronary heart disease.

Other sugar substitutes, such as aspartame and acesulfame potassium, also increased the risk of these findings, the researchers found.

Another 2022 studypublished in the journal Cellshowed that sucralose — and saccharin – could potentially elevate blood sugar levels. This is linked to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetesheart disease and strokes.

In this study, these sugar substitutes “not only caused an increase in blood sugar like [table] sugar,” Cohen said, “but they also caused changes in the microbiome — meaning they didn’t pass through the body without effect as previously believed.

The gut microbiome is a collection of bacteria and other microbes living in the intestines. Disruptions to the microbiome can contribute to obesity, Type 2 diabetesintestinal diseases and certain types of cancer.

A healthy gut microbiome Also supports the immune system and heart and brain health.

“Some studies suggest that [certain artificial sweeteners] can negatively impact our microbiome, which could lead to impaired immune and metabolic function and mental health,” said Megan Hilbertdietician graduated from Top Nutrition Coaching.

Research in mice found that a low dose of sucralose can alter the gut microbiome of animals.

Another study in people found a similar impact of sucralose on levels of certain gut bacteria. This study also showed that sucralose negatively affected blood levels of glucose and insulin.

Cohen said when people eat foods with sugar substitutes, they replace the health risks of added sugars with a whole new list of risks, “many of which are not yet known, because [artificial sweeteners] have not all been studied to the required level.

Additionally, even though sugar-free sweeteners contain few or no calories, they do not reduce sugar cravings.

As a result, “they can have the opposite effect of tricking someone into thinking they can eat unlimited amounts of snacks or treats because they’re ‘sugar-free,'” Cohen said.

Foods can have a direct impact on health through the effects they have on the body. But some foods can also harm health by altering the overall quality of the diet.

When people fill up on processed snacks, whether made with table sugar or a sugar substitute, they may eat fewer nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. These foods are important for physical and mental health.

To support overall health, Cohen recommends people use artificial sweeteners in moderation, if at all.

Hilbert agrees: As with sugar, “small amounts [of sugar substitutes] are fine, but in excess they can negatively impact other areas of the body,” she said. “At the end of the day, they shouldn’t be treated as something to be consumed without limit just to get a good dose.”

If you want something sweet without sugar, Cohen suggests using sweeteners made with stevia or monk fruit. However, some of these products contain the artificial sweetener erythritol, which has been associated with higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Erythritol and other sugar alcohols such as mannitol and xylitol can also cause excess gas and bloating in people with sensitive guts, Hilbert said.

So look for products that don’t contain erythritol. Another option is to use fresh leaves of the stevia plant, which, like other herbs, can be grown in your garden or even in your home.

Over time, however, she suggests moving your diet away from foods that are too sweet, which can make other foods — like fresh vegetables — taste much better.

“Start cutting your sweeteners in half for a few weeks and gradually reduce from there,” Cohen says. “Your taste buds will adapt and you’ll be healthier.”