Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have conducted a study that reveals concerning information about the artificial sweetener, sucralose.
Previous research conducted by the same team identified fat-soluble compounds produced in the gut after consuming sucralose, one of which is sucralose-6-acetate. This new work has shown that sucralose-6-acetate is genotoxic, meaning it has the ability to damage DNA.
In addition, trace amounts of the compound can be found in sucralose before it is metabolized, and the European Food Safety Authority’s threshold for genotoxic substances is 0.15 micrograms per person per day. When exposed to human blood cells and gut tissues, evidence of genotoxicity and leaky gut were found, respectively.
Genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and carcinogenicity were also found to be increased in the presence of sucralose-6-acetate. The authors of the study encourage people to avoid products containing sucralose due to the mounting evidence that it carries significant risks. The research was funded by the Engineering Foundation at North Carolina State University.