Sweetener: Sucralose

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener made from sugar. It is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and is not broken down by the body, so it provides no calories. It is made through a process that selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with chlorine atoms.

Manufacturers use sucralose as a sugar substitute in a wide variety of "sugar-free" or "reduced-calorie" products. Its stability under heat and in acidic conditions makes it suitable for baking and beverages. It is commonly found in diet sodas, baked goods, dairy products, chewing gum, and tabletop sweeteners.

Sucralose is approved as a food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). International bodies like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have also evaluated sucralose and found it safe for consumption within acceptable limits. Some studies have raised questions about its potential effects on gut health and metabolism at very high doses, but regulatory bodies have concluded it is safe at typical consumption levels. Evidence is mixed regarding its potential to form harmful compounds when heated to high temperatures.