Splenda isn’t bad for you, but it can cause some negative health effects like an increase in sugar cravings which may lead to weight gain. Some preliminary studies in animals have shown that Splenda may affect gut health and cause GI issues. An excess of Splenda may also cause you to have higher blood sugar.

In addition to aspartame, there are compounds such as saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, neotame and advantame under this umbrella. Most of these artificial sweeteners were developed between the 1970s and 1990s, and all have been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

Aspartame is made from two amino acids, while sucralose is a modified form of sugar with added chlorine. One 2013 study, however, found that sucralose may alter glucose and insulin levels and may not be a “biologically inert compound.” “Sucralose is almost certainly safer than aspartame,” says Michael F.

It’s considered safe in small amounts, except for people with phenylketonuria, a genetic disease. Sucralose, also known as Splenda, passes through the body easily and does not build up in body fat. It’s also 600 times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way.

Although sucralose had some beneficial effects on the pancreas, the researchers found no benefits for the liver, according to their chosen markers of liver health.

Dozens of studies have linked aspartame — the world’s most widely used artificial sweetener — to serious health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, stroke and dementia, as well as negative effects such as intestinal dysbiosis, mood disorders, headaches and migraines.

The FDA warns that people with phenylketonuria, a rare hereditary disease, have difficulty metabolizing a phenylalanine, one of the components in aspartame. If the person consumes this substance, the body doesn’t digest it properly, and it can accumulate. High levels may result in brain damage.

Authors of a 2017 review concluded that aspartame may affect the immune system and, as a result, it may lead to oxidative stress and inflammation. Their findings suggested that aspartame could affect the cells of various body organs, including the brain, the heart, the liver, and the kidneys.

The short answer is no. There doesn’t seem to be much evidence that aspartame is going to kill you. The NHS says aspartame and a number of other artificial sweeteners are safe and do not cause cancers. Aspartame is one of a number of popular artificial sweeteners, used in many foods and drinks.