
What is Sucralose?
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Sucralose is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners (aka, sugar substitutes) on the market today. It is considered noncaloric because of the fact that the vast majority of all of the sucralose is not able to be broken down to the body, which means it passes right through. Sucralose is between 320 and 1000 times sweeter than sucrose depending on how it is made. This is a popular sugar substitute for baking because it is stable even at high heat, and in most pH conditions that would be present for cooking. In addition, it does not break down quickly, so it can be used in foods that require an extended shelf-life. People will typically be most familiar with Sucralose under the brand name Splenda. Sucralose vs. Aspartame When choosing an artificial sweetener, the other popular option is going to be aspartame. These two choices make up a large portion of the overall artificial sweetener market. Knowing which one to choose doesn’t have to be difficult, and in most cases, it is simply a matter of looking at your specific needs, and then choosing the sugar substitute that is best for those specific tasks. Here are some of the main differences between the two:
- Sweetness – Sucralose is about three times sweeter than aspartame.
- Cooking – While sucralose is stable at higher temperatures, aspartame breaks down. While not dangerous, it will leave a bitter aftertaste so most people do not use aspartame for cooking or baking.
- Calories – While sucralose is considered to be calorie free, aspartame is ‘very low’ in calories. When used for sweetening drinks or other areas where only a small amount is consumed, even aspartame won’t contribute a noticeable amount of calories.
- Name Brands – As mentioned above, sucralose is primarily sold as Splenda. Aspartame is labeled as NutraSweet.
- Chemical Makeup – Sucralose is a modified sugar molecule that has three of the hydroxyl groups of sucrose replaced by chlorine atoms. Aspartame, on the other hand, is a methyl ester, which is composed of natural amino acids.
- Shelf Life – Aspartame’s shelf life is about half that of sucralose.
- Gut Bacteria – Some research suggests that regular consumption of sucralose can reduce the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut by up to 50%. This can cause weight gain, digestive issues, and more.
- Medications – Sucralose is believed to reduce the absorption of some medications (possibly because of the reduction in gut bacteria), which can make the medication less effective.
- pH Levels – A study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found that sucralose can increase the pH levels of your intestines.