With both the use of Sucralose and diabetes on the rise, it shouldn’t be surprising that the artificial sweetener has both its advocates and detractors. If you have diabetes, sucralose may be more recognizable under its brand name in the United States – Splenda. Splenda has become very popular since its introduction in 1976. It is a versatile sweetener deemed safe by the FDA, and since it has been recommended for use by the American Diabetes Association, sucralose and diabetes patients have become very well acquainted.
What’s Benefit of Sucralose and Diabetes Patients Use of It?
Diabetes patients are always looking to control their blood sugar as part of managing their disease. With no calories, and no adverse effects on blood sugar control, sucralose and diabetes patients seem to be made for each other. A 2003 study published in the “Journal of the American Diabetes Association” found that there was no effect on blood sugar control. Another 1996 study showed that a 1000 mg dose of sucralose in diabetes patients who were both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent had no effect on blood sugar control. Combine that with the no-calorie benefit of sucralose, and diabetes patients seemingly have the perfect sweetener.
More studies conducted in 2008 in non-diabetics concluded that using sucralose doesn’t stimulate insulin release from the pancreas. Since sucralose is made from sugar and just changed in the manufacturing process, the taste is very close to regular sugar. Three atoms of chlorine replace some of the sugar molecule, thus retaining the natural taste. So what could detractors possibly say negative about sucralose and diabetes?
Side Effects of Sucralose and Diabetes
A study at Duke University found that doses of sucralose in the range of 1.1 to 11 mg/kg (FDA acceptable intake is 5 mg/kg) reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines of rats. Also the PH level in the intestines was raised, the rats gained body weight, and the levels of a substance that changes the way medicines are absorbed into the body was observed. However, those results were not duplicated in humans, so the verdict isn’t in yet. More research on the effects of sucralose and diabetes needs to be done.
In 2002, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry” found that the bulking agents added to Splenda to make it taste more like sugar has the potential to cause cavities. But then again, so does sugar.
The Decision on Sucralose and Diabetes is Up To You
There have been no real long-term studies on sucralose. Diabetes patients will have to make up their own mind on whether they want to use it or not. Keep in mind that the ADA also says that the use of regular sugar is safe for diabetics as well. Regular sugar doesn’t raise glucose levels any more than other carbohydrates, so sugar can easily be incorporated into a healthy diet, contrary to some myths. If you use sugar responsibly and don’t indulge, you should ask yourself if you need to use sucralose.
