Sucralose

Animal and lab studies only

• Concern

  Gut lining and DNA⁸

  In lab studies, sucralose and a chemical found in it were linked to weaker gut lining and DNA damage.

• Concern

  Fat cell growth⁹

  In lab studies, sucralose made human fat cells turn on genes tied to making more fat.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Gut bacteria²

  Scientists do not yet know whether eating sucralose changes gut bacteria in people, since studies give mixed results.

• Open question

  Blood sugar and gut hormones⁴

  Scientists do not yet know whether sucralose changes blood sugar, insulin, or gut hormones, because studies give mixed results.

• Concern

  Gut bacteria and cells⁵

  Sucralose has been linked to shifts in gut bacteria and to oxidative stress in some studies.

• Open question

  Insulin response and sensitivity⁶

  Studies of sucralose give mixed results, so scientists do not yet know whether it changes how the body handles insulin.

• Concern

  Gut bacteria and cancer treatment⁷

  Sucralose changed gut bacteria and weakened cancer treatment response in mice and patients.

How it’s made and used

• Sweetness and baking³

  Sucralose has no calories, is about 600 times sweeter than sugar, and stays stable when heated in baked or fried foods.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.