Sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose tested in lab studies
What it found
In lab tests, sucralose-6-acetate damaged DNA and both sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose weakened the gut barrier.
Sucralose-6-acetate also switched on genes linked to inflammation, oxidative stress and cancer.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
DNA damage in lab tests
Two lab tests showed that sucralose-6-acetate can damage DNA. The damage was classified as clastogenic, meaning it breaks DNA strands.
Genes switched on
In human intestinal cells, sucralose-6-acetate increased the activity of genes linked to inflammation, oxidative stress and cancer. The biggest increase was in the metallothionein 1 G gene (MT1G).
Gut barrier
In human transverse colon cells, both sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose impaired the gut barrier. This was measured by electrical resistance and permeability.
Enzyme inhibition
Sucralose-6-acetate blocked two members of the cytochrome P450 family, CYP1A2 and CYP2C19.
Studies in people and animals
Levels in samples
Recent commercial sucralose samples contained up to 0.67% sucralose-6-acetate. In a rodent model, fecal samples contained sucralose-6-acetate at levels up to 10% relative to sucralose, suggesting sucralose is also acetylated in the intestines.
Other findings
Amount in drinks
The amount of sucralose-6-acetate in a single daily sucralose-sweetened drink might far exceed the threshold of toxicological concern for DNA-damaging effects of 0.15 µg per person per day.
What the authors conclude
“Overall, the toxicological and pharmacokinetic findings for sucralose-6-acetate raise significant health concerns regarding the safety and regulatory status of sucralose itself.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say the toxicological and pharmacokinetic findings for sucralose-6-acetate raise significant health concerns regarding the safety and regulatory status of sucralose itself.
How it was done
The authors wanted to find out the toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate, a substance formed during sucralose manufacture and also found in the gut after eating sucralose.
They used lab screening tests to check whether sucralose-6-acetate can damage DNA, and exposed human intestinal cells to sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose to see which genes were switched on and whether the gut barrier was affected. They also measured levels of sucralose-6-acetate in commercial sucralose samples and in rodent fecal samples.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab and animal studies. They can't show what happens in people who eat or drink sucralose.
- The human cells were tested outside the body, so they don't show the full picture of how the gut would respond in a living person.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of North Carolina/North Carolina State University, USA; University of North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State University, USA
The paper
- Title
- Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Schiffman SS, Scholl EH, Furey TS, Nagle HT (2023). Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews. doi:10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903PubMed 37246822DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error