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Is Sucralose an Artificial Sweetener?

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener generally recognized as safe by the FDA. It is marketed as Splenda by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. It is usually sold in yellow packets.

  1. History

    • Surcralose was discovered in 1976 by researchers at Tate & Lyle PLC and approved in 1988 for use in the United States.

    How Splenda Is Made

    • Sucralose is made by re-arranging sugar molecules and placing three chlorine atoms into the new arrangement. This backs up the claim "Made From Sugar."

    Other Artificial Sweeeners

    • Other artificial sweeteners include aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet), saccharin (Sweet 'n Low) and acesulfame potassium (Sunette). Acesulfame potassium is also called "acesulfame K" because the letter K is the chemical symbol for potassium.

    Fun Fact

    • Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar.

    Considerations

    • Artificial sweeteners don't have any significant effects on metabolism or blood sugar. Phenylketonurics should limit their intake of aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal).

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