Toxic Splenda is now showing possible Neurotoxic Properties in research study!

It seems like every few months a new study is published on the REAL truth about splenda and its substantial side effects. Yet, it is still marketed to the world as a extremely safe, side effect-free alternative to high caloric sweeteners like sugar and honey.   

Now a new study published in the open access journal PLoS titled, "Sucralose Induces Biochemical Responses in Daphnia magna [water flea]," indicates that the artificial sweetener sucralose – sold under the trade name Splenda and approved for consumption in at least 70 countries – may have sublethal adverse effects on animal behavior and physiology due to its oxidative and possibly neurotoxic properties. 

The researchers described the nature and intention of their study:

"To our knowledge, this is the first study examining biomarker responses in aquatic organisms exposed to sucralose. Based on the observed swimming abnormalities inDaphnia exposed to sucralose [7] and recent findings that correlate AChE (acetylcholinesterase) activity with oxidative stress in humans [29], [31], we hypothesized that these behavioural effects are related to alterations in AChE and oxidative status."

Sucralose -- a sucrose containing three chlorine atoms -- despite being marketed initially by the manufacturer as somewhat natural (i.e. "it tastes like sugar because it is made from sugar"), is an extremely synthetic chemical compound highly resistant to biodegradation, and like other compounds within the organochloride class of chemicals, which include pesticides like DDT, it persists for a long time in the environment. For instance, a recent study found it detectable in offshore waters, such as the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Indeed, it is because of its exceptional non-biodegradability that it has been proposed to be an ideal tracer for human (anthropogenic) activities.

This extremely popular sweetener has already been identified to have potential to increase chances of diabetes and carcinogenic properties. Preliminary research in animals indicates it may be a cause of leukemia, which motivated the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), last year, to downgrade its safety rating from "Safe" to "Caution."

One of the possible mechanisms behind its purported leukemogenic activity may be due to it producing one of the world's most highly toxic manmade compounds – dioxin -- when heated. Sucralose has also been proposed to have had a huge part in the massive increase in gastrointestinal disorders in the past decade, most particularly evident in Canada. Considering the intimate relationship between the 'enteric brain,' or gut micro biome, and the central nervous system, this connection may reveal unrecognized neurological and behavior altering consequences of the use of this artificial sweetener. 

What did the Sucralose Study Find?

The new study looked at the effects that sucralose had on the following measurable parameters in Daphnia magna, or water flea:

·         Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) – an enzyme which hydrolyzes acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter essential for terminating synaptic transmission, a primary target of nerve agents and pesticides.

·         Oxidative biomarkers (oxygen radical absorbing capacity, ORAC, and lipid peroxidation, TBARS)

After exposing the animals to sucralose (0.0001-5 mg L-1), they found that:

"The sucralose concentration was a significant positive predictor for ORAC, TBARS and AChE in the daphnids. Moreover, the AChE response was linked to both oxidative biomarkers, with positive and negative relationships for TBARS and ORAC, respectively."

They concluded from these observed effect that:

"These joint responses support our hypothesis and suggest that exposure to sucralose may induce neurological and oxidative mechanisms with potentially important consequences for animal behaviour and physiology."

Basically, they are saying in this study that sucralose usage in these test water fleas caused a marked change in the behavior in the brain and other chemicals related due to the possibly of splenda also having neurotoxic effects along with a host of other side effects. This would imply that it would show a marked increase in oxidative stress on the human body as well.

Now we are obviously not fleas. But lets look at just what we do know regarding human usage of Splenda.

Essentially, we already seeing research study after research study showing that this product is not safe for human consumption!

It makes a tremendous pesticide!

It is not biodegradeable AT ALL!

It has already been changed by CSPI to CAUTION status!

It breaks down and releases both chlorine atoms when mixed with hydrochloric acid(stomach acid)!

Many people also bake and cook with Splenda to reduce the calories in a recipe, but it decomposes when exposed to high temps, and then releases potentially toxic compounds called chloroproanols.

We are personally starting to see massive gastrointestinal disorders in the office related to high sucralose intake, and now this research study is showing us that is has possible neurotoxin properties in test animals!

This stuff can’t get any more toxic!

Please, do not use this stuff. Throw it away or use it for ant poison, but do not put it into your body!

Time-tested, natural non-caloric or low-caloric sweeteners is best, especially considering that one can derive health benefits from Organic Coconut Sugar and Stevia.

Call us if you need anything. 1-800-726-1834

Austin Broer

Lindsay Soh, Kristin A Connors, Bryan W Brooks, Julie Zimmerman. Fate of Sucralose through Environmental and Water Treatment Processes and Impact on Plant Indicator Species. Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Jan 14. [Epub ahead of print].  

Mead RN, Morgan JB, Avery GB Jr, Kieber RJ, Kirk AM, et al. (2009) Occurrence of the artificial sweetener sucralose in coastal and marine waters of the United States. Mar Chem 116: 13–17.

http://www.cspinet.org/new/201306121.html

Review Artificial sweeteners--a recently recognized class of emerging environmental contaminants: a review.

 "Fate of sucralose through environmental and water treatment processes and impact on plant indicator species."

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/health-risks-sucralose