Sucralose linked to oxidative and DNA stress in review
What it found
Across lab, animal, plant and some human studies, sucralose exposure was tied to oxidative stress and DNA changes, though results were mixed.
The authors say more research is needed.
What they found
Studies in people
Human gene changes
In overweight and obese women, drinking diet sodas with sucralose and acesulfame-K upregulated 828 genes, including some linked to inflammation and lipid metabolism.
Animal and lab studies
Oxidative stress in cells
In lab tests, sucralose increased reactive oxygen species in mesenchymal stromal cells after three days, triggering inflammation and fat cell changes. In human microglial cells, chronic exposure reduced cell viability and disrupted antioxidant balance.
Organ effects in animals
In mice, sucralose worsened non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and increased ROS. High doses also compromised gut barrier integrity and caused liver and kidney changes.
DNA damage in lab and animals
In cell lines, sucralose caused DNA fragmentation. In plant and animal studies, it led to chromosomal abnormalities and micronuclei formation. Some animal studies found more tumors after prenatal exposure.
Studies in people and animals
Gut bacteria and antibiotic resistance
Sucralose shifted gut bacteria composition in both environmental and human contexts. In bacteria, it promoted the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes via reactive oxygen species.
Other findings
Environmental persistence
Sucralose is highly persistent in water and soil, with concentrations up to 4756 ng/L in some rivers. It can form toxic byproducts like dioxins when heated.
What the authors conclude
“This comprehensive review highlights the multifaceted risks associated with sucralose, particularly its capacity to induce oxidative and genomic stress across various biological systems.”
Also in their conclusions
- They highlight the multifaceted risks of sucralose, particularly its capacity to induce oxidative and genomic stress across various biological systems.
- They state that "significant gaps remain in understanding the combined effects of sucralose with other dietary or environmental contaminants".
- They advise that "the substitution of sucralose with natural sweeteners, or their combined use in food formulations, emerges as both a feasible and necessary strategy".
How it was done
Sucralose is widely used in food, including products for children, and is known to cross the placenta and enter breast milk. The authors wanted to clarify its long-term effects on health and the environment.
They reviewed studies from the past 15 years on sucralose's environmental fate, its potential to cause oxidative stress, and its genotoxic effects. The studies included cells, animals, plants, aquatic organisms, and some people.
What it can’t tell you
- Many of the findings come from lab tests and animals, so they cannot show what happens in people.
- The human study found gene changes after drinking diet sodas, but it cannot prove that sucralose caused them.
- The review cannot say whether sucralose causes health problems in the long term, because the evidence is mixed and more research is needed.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- Chernivtsi National University, Ukraine; National Transport University, Ukraine; University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal
The paper
- Title
- Sucralose: A Review of Environmental, Oxidative and Genomic Stress
- 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
- Full text
- Cite
- Tkach VV, Morozova TV, Gaivão IOM, et al (2025). Sucralose: A Review of Environmental, Oxidative and Genomic Stress. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu17132199Free full textPubMed 40647303DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error