New Study Raises Alarm: Splenda Linked to DNA Damage and Gut Health Risks

A recent study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, has raised significant health concerns about Splenda, a widely used sugar substitute.

The research suggests that Splenda, also known as sucralose, can cause DNA damage and is linked to leaky gut syndrome. Despite these alarming findings, the FDA maintains that sucralose is safe for consumption.

The research team conducted a series of laboratory tests, exposing human blood cells and gut tissue to a substance called sucralose-6-acetate. This research builds upon previous studies that associated sucralose with gut health issues.

The study's alarming findings reveal that sucralose can cause DNA fragmentation, thereby increasing the risk of disease. Moreover, sucralose has been linked to a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. This condition, characterized by a permeable intestinal lining, can lead to symptoms such as a burning sensation, painful digestion, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

The researchers further discovered that the consumption of sucralose leads to the production of sucralose-6-acetate, a genotoxic substance that can damage DNA. 

Dr. Susan Schiffman, an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at North Carolina State University and a research team member, urged a reevaluation of the safety and regulatory status of sucralose. "The evidence is mounting that it carries significant risks. If nothing else, I encourage people to avoid products containing sucralose," she said.

Despite these findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to assert that sucralose is safe for consumption.