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The Science of SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener

Sucralose

SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener (sucralose), the sweetening ingredient in SPLENDA^® Sweetener Products, is manufactured through a patented process that begins with sugar and produces a sweetener that is about 600 times sweeter than sugar. This means that average daily intakes are very small— estimated at just 1 mg/kg/day. Sucralose is noncaloric and is not recognized by the body as a carbohydrate.

Chemical Composition

Sucralose is manufactured using a patented multistep process in which 3 hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar (sucrose) molecule are selectively replaced with 3 chlorine atoms. Sucralose (SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener) starts with sugar and (SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener) tastes like sugar, but it's not sugar.

The role of the chlorine atoms

The tightly bound chlorine atoms are exceptionally stable and prevent the sucralose molecule from being metabolized for energy. As a result, studies show that sucralose does not elevate blood glucose or serum insulin levels. The chlorine atoms also provide heat stability, enabling sucralose to withstand the rigors of cooking and baking without losing sweetness.

Absorption and distribution

The majority (about 85%) of consumed sucralose is not absorbed and passes through the gastrointestinal tract unchanged. Approximately 15% of ingested sucralose is passively absorbed, which is related to the fact that sucralose is a very small, very water-soluble molecule. Because it is highly water soluble, absorbed sucralose is distributed to essentially all tissues. Sucralose is not lipophilic and does not bioaccumulate. Radiolabel studies show that sucralose is not actively transported across the blood-brain barrier, the placental barrier, or the mammary gland.

Metabolism

Sucralose is not recognized by the body as a carbohydrate — it is not broken down for energy and provides no calories. Approximately 2% of ingested sucralose is biotransformed into toxicologically insignificant components and excreted in the urine. Sucralose does not bind to blood or other proteins. There is also no dechlorination or breakdown of the molecule to its component monosaccharide-like derivatives.

Elimination

Most ingested sucralose is eliminated unchanged in the stool with no gastrointestinal effects. With the very small amount of sucralose intake that can be expected from foods and beverages containing sucralose, osmotic effects that are known to occur with some poorly absorbed substances would not be expected. Of the small amount of sucralose that is absorbed, most is eliminated in the urine within 24 hours.

Want to learn more about the science of SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener?

Sucralose: A Scientific and Safety Review

Data show that SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) can be used safely by all populations, including people with diabetes, women who are pregnant or nursing, and children.

Web Seminar: Understanding the Safety, Science and Benefits of SPLENDA^® Brand Sweetener

Web seminar presenting the science of sucralose (molecular structure, metabolism) as well as safety studies, relevance in patient care, and Q and A.

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