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Sucralose (Splenda) ranks first among synthetic sweeteners. It can completely or partially replace sugar in food and drinks, and at the same time not worry about the state of your health.
The molecular form is C12H19Cl3O8. It has the appearance of solid white crystals with no specific odor. Sucralose, trichlorogalactosucrose (E-955) is easily soluble in water. This nutritional supplement was obtained by treating ordinary sugar with sulfuryl chloride. When a similar chemical process occurs, the hydroxyl group replaces the chlorine atoms. Also during this process, various by-products of sucrose chlorination are formed. Thus, a substance with a high sugar concentration is obtained. Approximately 550 times the sweetness of regular sugar.
Unlike sugar, a man cannot absorb Splenda, and its calorie content is almost zero.
The process of obtaining sucralose goes through five steps. Such manufacture was discovered by British scientists in 1976 and soon became commercial.
Sucralose has its own trade brand – Splenda. The sales volume is almost the same as that of Nutrasvit sweetener. But, compared with nutrasvit, it is stable to heat and the effects of various acids.
Harm and benefit
According to all official data, it has been proven that the sweetener is absolutely safe for the human body, but only if the correct dosage is observed.
The composition of the additive does not include toxins and carcinogens, so it can be used by all people, even pregnant and lactating women.
Before using the additive in the production of various foods, scientists conducted a large number of laboratory studies and received approval from the World Health Organization and the Food and Drink Commission in the United States of America.
This substance is so quickly excreted from the human body that its components do not have time to be absorbed.
The human body absorbs only 14% of the substance, but they are excreted within 24 hours using the urination system.
There is no confirmed data about the negative impact of the additive on the children’s body. Therefore, it is safe to give children food in which manufacturers have added E955 instead of sugar.
Also, doctors have not identified side effects that have a negative impact on the functionality of the reproductive and central nervous system.
| Name | Sucralose (trichlorogalactosucrose) |
|---|---|
| A type | Food supplement |
| Category | Glazing agents, anti-flaming agents |
| Description | The additive with the index E-900 – E-999 prevents foaming, helps the finished product to achieve a uniform consistency. |
Where is it used?
Food additive E-955 is used in the production of various food products. Its purpose is to replace sugar and sweeten processed foods. It is used in most countries, including the EU, Russia, Australia and Canada.
In Russia, a food additive is used in the production of:
- fruit, vegetable, sweet and sour canned food, including fish, fish marinades in the amount of not more than 150 mg per 1 kilogram of the product;
- soft drinks with flavors, dairy products, fruit juices, without added sugar and with a minimum calorie content, not more than 290 mg per 1 kilogram of the product;
- flavored desserts based on water, grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, fat with a minimum amount of calories;
- ice cream, fruit ice without sugar not more than 380 mg per 1 kilogram of the product;
- canned foods;
- rich bakery and flour confectionery products, not more than 750 mg per 1 kilogram of the product;
- confectionery;
- chewing gums.
How does it affect the body?
The maximum allowable daily dose of sucralose is no more than 15 mg per 1 kilogram of body weight.
When it enters the human body, the food supplement E-955 in the same form leaves it with the help of the urination system within 24 hours.
Since it lingers for a short time in the body, it does not have time to get to the brain. Also, the substance cannot cross the barrier of the placenta of pregnant women and does not pass into breast milk. Therefore, the food supplement E-955 does not pose a danger to pregnant or lactating women.
The sweetener cannot interact with other nutrients and does not remove insulin from the body. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the fact that diabetics will consume such products.
The nutritional supplement is absolutely non-caloric, therefore it does not contribute to the development of various dental diseases, including caries.
If you exceed the permissible dosage of sucralose, the following symptoms may appear:
- irritation of the skin, the skin begins to itch, swell and become covered with red spots;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- disruption of the central nervous system;
- heartbeat quickens, in rare cases, you can notice a sharp increase in blood pressure;
- labored breathing;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes;
- cold symptoms;
- eye itching.
After conducting a large number of experiments and laboratory studies, scientists have come to the conclusion that the food additive E-955 is the safest synthetic sweetener. The experiments involved laboratory rats and mice.
Sucralose is absolutely completely biodegradable, therefore it is not toxic to fish and other inhabitants living in the aquatic environment.
What are the benefits of sucralose products?
Foods made on the basis of this additive differ from products with the addition of natural sugar in the following ways: they have a minimum amount of calories; absolutely safe for people suffering from diabetes (an endocrine disease caused by an insufficient amount of the hormone insulin); there are no negative effects on dental health.
However, alternative sources tend to argue that the safety of such foods is still not 100% guaranteed. They have their own beliefs in this regard, for example: all safety studies were commissioned by manufacturing plants, and besides, the experiments were carried out not on humans, but on rats and mice; chlorine, which is part of this component, can harm the human body; sufficient time has not yet elapsed to be able to assess the potential risks of its use.
According to unofficial data, opponents claim that due to this component, the immune system and its protective barrier are significantly reduced in people. It is possible to develop serious oncological processes and allergic reactions. It is not excluded the development of neurological pathologies and significant hormonal imbalance. Despite the low calorie content, it can contribute to weight gain.
Opponents of sweeteners in every possible way want to convince that they are very harmful to the human body, but at the same time their facts have not been officially confirmed anywhere.
But official sources indicate that such a sweetener is absolutely safe.