Is Splenda Safe? Synthetic Sugar Substance Sucralose Uses Chlorine Atoms

New research shows that the artificial sweetener sucralose, otherwise known as Splenda, may be particularly dangerous for your health.

According to the Center for Science in Public Interest, a nonprofit group, they said today, via Live Science, that they are downgrading the safety rating of the substance from "safe" to "caution."

Many researchers believe that new tests need to be taken into consideration when using products that contain the sweetner.

According to a study from 2008 in the, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Journal, the synthetic compound was discovered back in 1976 in Britain looking to create a new pesticide formulation. And while it is true that the Splenda molecule is comprised of sucrose (sugar)-three of the hydroxyl groups in the molecule have been replace by three chlorine atoms.

A recent study conducted in Italy found that sucralose actually caused leukemia in some mice. The CSPI shows that though this study has not yet been published, the findings must be analyzed so as to caution individuals from using the faux sugar.

The executive director of CSPI Michael F. Jacobson notes, via Live Science, that "the forthcoming Italian study warrants careful scrutiny before we can be confident that the sweetener is safe for use in food."

The CSPI recommends people avoid the artificial sweeteners saccharin (Sweet 'N Low), aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal), and acesulfame potassium (Sunett and Sweet One).

The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health in January 2008 wrote that Splenda may alter the composition of the intestinal microflora, the natural micro-organism residents of the intestines that protect against the possible growth of disease-causing organisms. Similarly, the The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, notes that Splenda may "enhance the expression of CYP3A4 cytochrome P450, resulting in the alteration of the availability of certain orally administered drugs such as oral hypoglycemic agents for diabetics, angiotensin II blockers used by hypertensive patients, anti-epileptic medications, beta blockers for hypertension and heart problems, antidepressants, antipsychotics and macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin."