Researchers Warn Against Sucralose After Finding it Damages DNA, Causes Leaky Gut
A study led by North Carolina State University suggests that popular artificial sweetener sucralose may be genotoxic and cause adverse effects to the gut. The study’s researchers are calling for the safety and regulatory status of the chemical to be revisited, and encourage people to avoid products containing the sweetener.
Specifically, the researchers demonstrated the genotoxicity of sucralose-6-acetate, which is a compound produced in the gut after sucralose is consumed. Genotoxic substances cause damage to DNA, causing mutations which could lead to cancer or birth defects. Trace amounts of sucralose-6-acetate were also found in sucralose samples from store shelves.