Biomedical doctors are clear: they ask you to stop consuming this sweetener because it could damage your DNA

A few days ago, the World Health Organization warned that non-caloric sweeteners are not effective for long-term weight loss or for reducing the incidence of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Sucralose was one of these sweeteners designated by the WHO.

Now, a study from North Carolina State University (United States) has observed the effects on cells of one of the compounds that are generated in the body when sucralose is digested: the sucralose-6-acetate.

Sucralose metabolites could be carcinogenic

The researchers exposed human blood cells to sucralose-6-acetate and found that it breaks DNA strands and is therefore genotoxic. If the body does not repair these tears in time, cancer could develop.

Susan Schiffman, study author, adds in a statement that sucralose-6-acetate harms human intestinal tissue and causes “hyper-permeable gut”, allowing the filtration of unwanted substances into the bloodstream. These substances cause inflammation throughout the body.

The researchers call for stricter use of sucralose. To put this in context, the European Food Safety Authority has a threshold of toxicological concern for all genotoxic substances of 0.15 micrograms per person per day,” recalls Schiffman. “Our work suggests that theTrace amounts of sucralose-6-acetate in a single daily sucralose-sweetened beverage exceed that threshold. And that’s not even taking into account how much sucralose-6-acetate is produced as metabolites after people consume sucralose.”

For all these reasons, the researchers ask that it regulate the use of sucralose in food products. “I encourage people to avoid products that contain sucralose. It’s something you shouldn’t be consuming,” warns Schiffman.

What is sucralose?

sucralose It was discovered by accident in 1976. when a chemistry student at the University of London had the idea to test a compound obtained by replacing three hydrogen-oxygen groups in the sucrose molecule with three chlorine atoms.

It was a substance 600 times sweeter than sucrose (white sugar) and that is not digested, so it provides practically no calories. It was patented as a sweetener and its use was approved in Canada in 1991 and in the United States in 1998. In Europe it was not authorized until 2004 and it was identified with the code E955 among food additives.

What products contain sucralose?

Sucralose is one of the sweeteners chosen by the food industry to replace sugar and offer products “no added sugar” and low in calories. It is most commonly found in soft drinks, sweetener packets in cafeterias, sugar-free bakery and pastry products, sugar-free gum and candies, low-calorie desserts and ice cream, sugar-free jams and jellies, sauces and low-calorie dressings, low-fat, unsweetened dairy products such as yogurts and cheeses, and instant drink mixes, such as juice powders or capsules or unsweetened teas.

Sucralose decomposes when heated

The sanitary authorization suggests that it is a safe product, but as has happened on many occasions with other artificial additives, scientific discoveries may reveal that it produces negative health effects that had been overlooked.

Studies conducted at North Carolina State University and McGill University suggest that when heated above 120 ºC sucralose breaks down and interacts with fatty compounds and produces harmful agents called chloropropanols, which increase the risk of cancer.

Therefore, a first precautionary measure is to avoid sucralose in all products that must go through the oven.

sucralose disrupts beneficial gut microbiota

Another side effect occurs on populations of beneficial digestive bacteria. A study with laboratory animals at Duke University and published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found an association between sucralose consumption and a reduction of bifidobacteria and other microorganisms with positive functions.

The same conclusion was reached by an investigation led by Dr. Eran Elinav, from the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot (Israel), published in Nature.

However, it is necessary to verify if the effects also occur in people.

Eating sweeteners does not help to lose weight

On the other hand, studies indicate that the consumption of products with sweeteners It is not associated with weight loss. This only occurs with a proper diet and habits; it does not depend on whether sweeteners are consumed or not.

Furthermore, there is research to the contrary. A study published in the journal Obesity observed a relationship between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and an increase in body weight.

It is a common opinion among experts in nutrition and slimming diets that the love of products with sweeteners does not serve to modify the tendency to consume sweet foods, something that is related to an increase in weight.

Some studies indicate that when the sweet taste is not accompanied by calories, the body reacts by increasing appetite. This is demonstrated by a study led by researchers at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, published in JAMA Network Open. The study is one of the largest to date to examine the effects of an artificial sweetener on brain activity and appetite responses in different segments of the population.

natural sweet options

In a natural and balanced diet, the “allowed” sweet taste is found mainly in whole fruits and dried fruits, where they are accompanied by minerals, vitamins, fiber and other beneficial compounds.

As for purely sweetening substances, there are better options than synthetic sweeteners.

Stevia leaf-based preparations sweeten sufciently and have a positive effect on blood glucose levels.