Sucralose Side Effects

Sucralose is a zero calorie sugar substitute, used as an artificial sweetener. Sucralose is made under the influence of heat and over a certain range of pH conditions. It is actually chlorinated form of sucrose. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar and twice as sweet as another sugar substitute called Saccharin. This is the reason sucralose is used in various baking products and products requiring longer shelf life. Of course, the daily intake for sucralose is limited to 5 mg/kg of the exact body weight.

Sucralose is a non-caloric sweetener that is used as a substitute for many of the caloric sweeteners like the regular sugar. It doesn't provide any calories but it does provide the sweetness that is required in the food. In the era of "low carb" and "low-fat", there are many people who buy sucralose and consume it on a regular basis. Liquid sucralose is also available that has similar properties as that of the sucralose tablets. Today, sucralose is used as a food additive in more than 4000 food products like ice cream, protein bars, salad dressings, bakery products, beverages like diet drinks and other products like toothpaste and chewing gums. All these facts are very important, to understand the side effects of sucralose. So, is sucralose harmful or is it safe? What are the sucralose side effects? Let's find out.

Is Sucralose Safe to Consume?
People relying on sucralose sweeteners are increasing by 10% per year. Around 70% amongst them have sucralose allergy and are suffering with sucralose toxicity. This may be a result of the sucralose chemicals; substances that are used in the sucralose production. Safety of sucralose has been observed by the FDA and sucralose is approved by them saying, it is safe for human consumption and does not pose carcinogenic, reproductive, or neurological risks to humans, based on over 100 research safety studies.

According to studies and the reports, we can say that sucralose is safe for pregnant women and diabetic patients too. Sucralose is heat stable, zero calorie, sugar substitute that can be combined with almost any kind of food product. We can say that there is a new craze about the "sucralose weight loss" as it contains no calories at all. There are several major causes of concern about sucralose uses with respect to the inclusion of sucralose in food. One of the sucralose chemicals, chlorine, can create some of the issues that one cannot overlook.

Sucralose Side Effects
Despite approval of the FDA, many people surely suffer from the sucralose toxicity and several symptoms of sucralose allergy. Following are the various sucralose dangers.

• Gastrointestinal problems like bloating, nausea and diarrhea
• Skin irritations, rashes, hives, swelling and itching
• Breathing difficulties, wheezing
• Runny nose, cough
• Palpitation, chest muscle pain, itchy eyes
• Anxiety, depression, mood swings, sudden onset of anger
• Dizziness

Apart from these, following are several other side effects of sucralose that can also be fatal and life-threatening.

• Enlarged liver and kidneys
• Growth rate plummets
• Atrophy of lymph follicles in the thymus and spleen
• Rise in cecal weight
• Hyperplasia of the pelvis
• Decreased fetal body weight
• Decreased placental weight
• Pregnancy period may stretch for a longer period
• Decreased red blood cell count
• Aborted pregnancy or stillbirth

Side effects of sucralose on vision and brain are not hidden as well. People have reported migraine, headaches and blurred vision. From the above adverted sucralose side effects, we can say that sucralose is bad for pregnancy as well as the unborn baby. In fact, many obstetrician advice pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers not to consume sucralose and products that have sucralose consistency.

Knowing all the facts and sucralose side effects, in my opinion, there is just no need to place your life on stake. Those who are using sucralose for weight loss can turn to several other healthy and natural sugar substitutes like natural sugarcane syrup, brown rice syrup, molasses, stevia, maple syrup, agave nectar and various fruit juices! After all, natural is healthier.