Digestion of artificial sweetener sucralose appears to create metabolite that damages DNA | Research

In vivo studies have revealed that the artificial sweetener sucralose, sold under the brand name Splenda, can be metabolized in the gut to form a compound that damages DNA. The harmful chemical sucralose-6-acetate is found to be formed during digestion and can even be found in small amounts in sucralose itself, as a by-product of sweetener synthesis.

The chlorinated artificial sweetener sucralose is first reported in 1976 and 650 times sweeter than sucrose. As a zero-calorie sweetener, it is hoped that this compound can replace sugar and help reduce levels of obesity and related conditions. The sweetener manufacturing process involves synthesizing sucrose-6-acetate from sucrose and then reducing the acetyl to produce the final product.

In vitro experiments exposed a human white blood cell line to sucralose-6-acetate and then monitored it for signs of genotoxicity, showing that the chemical effectively disrupted DNA in exposed cells. The researchers then carried out experiments introducing sucralose and sucralose-6-acetate into human intestinal epithelial tissues, and these experiments revealed that both compounds make the intestinal wall more permeable. , allowing waste products to ‘leak’ into the bloodstream.

Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concluded that trace amounts of sucralose-6-acetate in a daily sucralose sugar-sweetened beverage exceeded the safe threshold of 0.15µg per person. everyday. established by the European Food Safety Authority. That doesn’t even affect how sucralose-6-acetate can be produced during metabolism, the researchers note.

Furthermore, the team found that intestinal cells exposed to sucralose-6-acetate increased the activity of genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammation and carcinogenesis. ‘It’s time to review sucralose’s safety and regulatory status, because growing evidence suggests it carries significant risks,’ warns Susan Schiffmanrespective authors of the study.

Sucralose was first approved in Canada in 1991 with other countries following suit, with the EU being one of the last jurisdictions to adopt it in 2004. Previous studies have linked its consumption to various health conditions, including leukemia, diabetes and obesity. Many other substitutes for sugar have also been developed that can help reduce sugar intake, but did not have the same effect on obesity levels.

Last month, the World Health Organization issued new guideThey advise against using artificial sweeteners to control body weight or reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. The agency cited research showing that these products do not reduce body fat in adults or children over the long term and, in fact, their use may increase some health risks. like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.