Is Splenda bittersweet?

Recent studies on the artificial sweetener Splenda have caused nationwide controversies over how healthy this sugar substitute really is.

FDA research on laboratory rats has shown that sucralose, also known by its brand name Splenda, can cause bladder cancer among animals. Despite these findings, the substance remains a subject of continued debate within the health and medical professions.

Sucralose is one of five FDA approved no calorie sweeteners used in the US along with saccharin, aspartame, neotame and acesulfame potassium. They can be found in over 4,500 products, including chewable multivitamins, gum and breath mints, cold cereals, baked goods, yogurt, candy and some pharmaceuticals.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Calorie Control Council, over 180 million Americans over 18 years old consume low calorie and sugar free products on a regular basis, up from 144 million in 1998.

Although sucralose has been known to cause cancer among animals, there is no clear evidence regarding the side effects the substance and other artificial sweeteners will have on humans, especially 20 or 50 years from now.

At this point, only those with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and pregnant women whose unborn child could potentially have PKU are advised against using artificial sweeteners. Aspartame products are especially cautioned against because those products are a source of phenylalanine in the diet. (www.caloriecontrol.org)

With candy and diet soft drinks in every vending machine in every building on campus, it is hard to avoid this potentially harmful substance, but students do not appear to be concerned.

"I think that it's great that there is more information and that more people are aware about the potential dangers of artificial sweeteners, but knowing that there could be a chance that Splenda could harm me won't make me stop drinking soda," said Ashley Brice, a junior psychology major. "I drink at least four sodas a week."

According to the FDA, Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are safe to consume on a daily basis. Consuming large quantities, however, can increase the risk of experiencing side effects, just like any other man-made food additive.

"A good rule of thumb when dealing with Splenda and other artificial sweeteners is everything in moderation," said Janice Cochran, a registered dietitian and the coordinator of nutrition and physical activity on campus.

A moderate amount is considered five to six servings a day, which is equivalent to about 48 ounces, over a liter of liquid.

Splenda, although thought to cause bladder cancer among animal test subjects, has not been proven to cause the same results in humans. According to www.caloriecontrol.org, the safety of consuming sucralose was tested in more than100 studies over a 20 year period before the FDA approved it for use in all products in 1999.

The studies revealed no known or significant side effects on reproduction and fertility, birth defects, immunology, the central nervous system or metabolism, among others.

Similar studies were conducted with the other FDA approved low-calorie sweeteners. According to the same website, aspartame has been tested in over 200 studies over two decades, and is approved by over 100 countries. It has been thoroughly tested and approved by the FDA as well as independent research groups such as the American Diabetic Association and the American Medical Association.

The FDA approved aspartame in 1981 for use in powdered mixes and low calorie tabletop mixes, and later in all food and beverage products in 1996. Additionally, aspartame has been deemed safe for pregnant women.

Similar studies were conducted with the other FDA approved low-calorie sweeteners, but only time will reveal the long-term side effects of these products.

Despite the controversial reputation of these products, they are believed to help people cut calories and lose undesired weight, an increasingly important aspect of rising obesity levels in Americans.

Sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than regular table sugar, as opposed to aspartame, which is only 200 times sweeter - therefore only a fraction of the amount of Splenda is needed when used in drinks or baked goods, resulting in a lower calorie intake and the same sweet taste that people crave.

"When trying to lose weight, Splenda can be a good substitute if your diet consisted of 400 to 500 calories of regular sugar (from soda or sweets) a day," said Cochran. "By replacing regular sugar with Splenda you're basically cutting 500 calories out of your diet."

Recent publications have raised the question of whether or not low-calorie sweeteners increase and perpetuate a consumer's appetite, but according to wwww.caloriecontrol.org, they do not.

Even with Splenda having the added plus of helping people cut calories and pounds, there are still those who crave a drink that has the pizzazz of soda but doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners. For those people Cochran suggests a beverage of her own creation

"Take your favorite juice and add some water then mix in a flavored seltzer for carbonation and more flavor," she said. "I like to mix in black cherry because it adds a great taste, and the juice gives a little flavor but is watered down so you still get a lot of fluids."