Sucralose is best defined as a zero-calorie sugar substitute, which is mostly used as an artificial sweetener. It is made over a certain range of pH conditions, under heat. A chlorinated form of sucrose, sucralose contains 600 times more sweetness than natural sugar. In the present times, when people are restricting themselves to a low carb and low fat diet, sucralose is gaining much popularity. Its non-caloric content makes it an ideal sugar substitute. Nowadays, liquid sucralose is also available, which have similar properties as that of sucralose tablets, adding to its popularity.
The use of sucralose has increased with time, as it is being used in various baking products and products that require longer shelf life. Presence of sucralose is also seen in products like ice cream, protein bars, salad dressings, bakery products, beverages like diet drinks and other products like toothpastes and chewing gums. However, it is important to consider the good and the bad effects of sucralose, before consuming it. While there are a number of benefits of consuming sucralose, the side effects are also too many to ignore. Read on to get detailed information on the side effects of consuming sucralose.
Sucralose Side Effects
- One of the most prominent dangers of sucralose is the occurrence of gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating, nausea and diarrhea. The resultant cramping in the intestines and stomach can be too much for you to bear.
- Too much of sucralose consumption can be treacherous for health and cause breathing difficulties as well as wheezing. You can also experience a feeling of being drugged or spaced out.
- For those with a sensitive skin, sucralose is best left unconsumed. It can ignite skin allergy and cause irritations, rashes, hives, swelling and itching.
- As per the International Food Information Council, sucralose contains six hundred times more sweetness than sugar. As such, if a person starts consuming the same amount of sucralose as sugar, it could actually increase his cravings for sweets, leading to an addiction.
- Sucralose intake can cause a lot of side effects, such as runny nose, cough, increased palpitations of the heart, pain in the chest muscle and itchy eyes.
- Psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and sudden onset of anger, are seen in people who regularly intake sucralose as a part of their diet.
- Sucralose can cause unnecessary weight loss, which may lead to problems. This is mainly because sucralose contains calorie-free.
- Consuming too much of sucralose on an everyday basis can cause numbness or tingling sensation in the lips, tongue, mouth, hands and fingers.
Others
Other side effects of sucralose consumption, some of which prove to be fatal and life threatening, are:
- Enlarged liver and kidneys
- Reduced growth rate
- Atrophy of lymph follicles in the thymus and spleen
- Increased cecal weight
- Hyperplasia of the pelvis
- Decreased fetal body weights
- Decreased placental weights
- Extension of pregnancy period
- Decreased red blood cell count
- Aborted pregnancy or stillbirth
- Blurred vision
- Migraine