
Is Splenda Safe for Diabetes?
Remember when those little yellow sweetener packets started showing up next to the pink and blue packets in your local restaurant? Well, since its commercial introduction in 1999, Splenda has risen in popularity to take over 62 percent of the U.S. market share for artificial sweeteners.
But, should you be using Splenda? Is it safe for people with diabetes? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more.
What Is Splenda?
Splenda is made from the FDA-approved artificial sweetener sucralose. The FDA reviewed over 110 human and animal studies on sucralose prior to approving it safe for consumption. In its review, it included studies that looked for links to cancer and reproductive and nerological issues. None were found.
An individual 1g packet of Splenda technically has 3.3 calories, however, this number is low enough to be considered "calorie-free" under FDA labeling laws. Interestingly, the low caloric content actually comes from bulking agents used in the production of Splenda, not sucralose.
As with other artificial sweeteners, Splenda is intensely sweet. In fact, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than table sugar.
In the U.S., Splenda is used as a sweetener in many pre-sweetened beverages and foods. It can be purchased as either individual packets or larger bulk packaged granuals, in both white and brown sugar baking forms.
(If you're having tea across the pond in the UK, however, you could also find Splenda available in tablet form.)
Which Foods Use Splenda?
Many "sugar-free" and "reduced-calorie" foods use artificial sweeteners to add a sweet flavor without ad
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