Over the years, I have been asked many times about my opinion of Splenda (aka sucralose.)  Until recently, I was left to answer: “I have a hard time trusting a product that started as sugar and ended up with no calories.” 

 Well, after reading this study, I am glad I trusted my instincts because it turns out Splenda alters gut microflora.

True, the Duke University study was done with rats, not humans.  But the results are alarming!

According to the study,  which was published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, over a 12 week period, Splenda reduced the number of good bacteria in the intestines by over 50%, increased the pH level in the intestines, contributed to increases in body weight and increased certain proteins in the body in such a way that can inhibit absorption of crucial health-related drugs such as those used for chemotherapy, AIDs treatment or heart conditions.

Now, I am not a doctor, and if you aren’t either, I recommend you check out this link  for a free and easily understandable review of the study, 

All that said, my new answer:  the potential consequences of using this product regularly are simply not worth the potential calories saved.