Splenda, otherwise known as sucralose, is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners right now. It is made by the McNeil Corporation and is marketed as being “Made From Sugar So It Tastes Like Sugar”. But is this claim actually true, or is this the case of a corporation making millions off of manipulative marketing?

Is Splenda Made From Sugar?

The fact of the matter is Splenda is NOT made from sugar. Splenda, in fact is a man-made chemical that contains chlorine and has a chemical structure that is closely related to DDT, an extremely toxic pesticide. In fact, it was first discovered by British scientists who were trying to come up with a new pesticide. And while some industry experts claim the sucralose is similar to table salt or sugar, other independent researchers say it has more in common with pesticides.

Other Lies Made By The Makers of Splenda

Initially, the McNeil Corporation – the company that markets and distributes Splenda made the claim that sucralose was not absorbed by the body, however they now admit that at least 15% of it is in fact absorbed by the body. In fact, in independent studies, anywhere from 11% – 45% of sucralose was absorbed by the body.

Was Splenda Ever Tested

Splenda was tested on humans, but the tests were not long term. In fact, the longest trial at this time had lasted only four days and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance.

Splenda Side Effects

Some of the reported side effects with consuming Splenda (sucralose) are:

  • Abdominal pain and/or cramping
  • Acne
  • Anger
  • Bleeding readily without clotting
  • Blistered, swollen lips; burning tongue, inflamed mouth
  • Bloating
  • Blood in urine
  • Chest pains
  • Constipation
  • Constricted airway
  • Depression, anxiety, panic, thoughts of suicide or death, agoraphobia, feelings of hopelessness, feeling alone
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth and sinuses
  • Elevated liver enzyme levels
  • Eyes crossed or unfocused
  • Fatigue, lethargy, weakness, loss of fine motor control
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Gas
  • Hair loss
  • Headache
  • Heartburn, indigestion
  • Heart palpitations, accelerated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, atrial fibrillation
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Irritability or nervousness
  • Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  • Leg, foot pain
  • Low red blood cell count
  • Memory loss (short-term)
  • Menstrual spotting, menstrual delay, missed period
  • Metallic taste
  • Migraines (severe headaches), stabbing head pain
  • Mood swings
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Night sweats
  • Numbness of the limbs
  • Numbness of the tongue or gums
  • Organ inflammation and/or enlargement
  • PMS
  • Rash, itchiness
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Shaking
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sleeplessness, restlessness
  • Spaced-out, unfocused, light-headed, or drugged sensation; difficulty verbalizing ideas, confusion
  • Sugar craving
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Upset stomach, burping
  • Weight gain

Those are just the short term side effects. Given the fact that Splenda contains chlorine, it would not be out of the question to speculate that using it long term causes cancer, among other diseases.