Splenda scuffle questions health advantages
Leanna Payton
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Lifestyles
A recent study conducted at Duke University concluded that Splenda, an artificial sweetener, might be harmful to the health for those who consume it, causing obesity, destroying good intestinal bacteria and preventing prescription drugs from being absorbed. The key component in Splenda, sucralose, is what researchers are suggesting might be risky.
The study separated 50 male rats into five equal groups. One group received only water while the other four groups were given four different doses of Splenda in water. The dosage levels were different because they represent the range of sucralose consumed below and above the accepted daily intake set by the Food and Drug Administration.
After 12 weeks, half of the rats in each group were sacrificed. The cytochrome P-450 (CYP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were measured in the rats' bodies. Both CYP and P-gp impact the body's ability to block the effects of drugs, such as chemotherapy. After this, the remaining animals spent another 12 weeks without any Splenda, according to a Citizens for Health press release
The results of the study found that all the rats gained weight but the ones drinking Splenda had significantly higher weight gain. In addition, the P-gp levels increased by 2.43 times in the bodies, and one type of CYP increased by 2.51. The other type increased by 3.49 times over the course of the 12 weeks. The researchers also found that Splenda might cause damage to good gut bacteria because of the higher doses offered, according to the press release.
"It's like putting a pesticide in your body," said James Turner, chairman of the Citizens for Health organization, in the press release. "And this is at levels of intake erroneously approved by the Food and Drug Administration."
Turner also said a person eating two slices of cake and drinking two cups of coffee containing Splenda would ingest enough sucralose to affect the P-gp while consuming seven little Splenda packages reduces good bacteria. He also notes that the effect of consuming Splenda does not result from a one-time use, but the side effects do occur after accruing the use, according to the press release.
The study separated 50 male rats into five equal groups. One group received only water while the other four groups were given four different doses of Splenda in water. The dosage levels were different because they represent the range of sucralose consumed below and above the accepted daily intake set by the Food and Drug Administration.
After 12 weeks, half of the rats in each group were sacrificed. The cytochrome P-450 (CYP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were measured in the rats' bodies. Both CYP and P-gp impact the body's ability to block the effects of drugs, such as chemotherapy. After this, the remaining animals spent another 12 weeks without any Splenda, according to a Citizens for Health press release
The results of the study found that all the rats gained weight but the ones drinking Splenda had significantly higher weight gain. In addition, the P-gp levels increased by 2.43 times in the bodies, and one type of CYP increased by 2.51. The other type increased by 3.49 times over the course of the 12 weeks. The researchers also found that Splenda might cause damage to good gut bacteria because of the higher doses offered, according to the press release.
"It's like putting a pesticide in your body," said James Turner, chairman of the Citizens for Health organization, in the press release. "And this is at levels of intake erroneously approved by the Food and Drug Administration."
Turner also said a person eating two slices of cake and drinking two cups of coffee containing Splenda would ingest enough sucralose to affect the P-gp while consuming seven little Splenda packages reduces good bacteria. He also notes that the effect of consuming Splenda does not result from a one-time use, but the side effects do occur after accruing the use, according to the press release.
Be the first to comment on this story