Is the Splenda No Calorie Sweetner a safe alternative to sugar?”
SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener is not sugar, it is a non-caloric alternative to sugar. It gets its sweetness from sucralose, also known as SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener is manufactured through a patented multi-step process that starts with cane sugar and selectively replaces 3 hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with 3 chlorine atoms. Chlorine is present naturally in many of the foods and beverages that we eat and drink every day ranging from lettuce, mushrooms and table salt. In the case of sucralose, its addition converts sucrose to sucralose.
More than ever, people are consuming large amounts of sugar as part of their daily diet. But in excess, sugar can take its toll. Eating large amounts of sugar adds extra calories, which can cause weight gain. So many people opt for artificial sweeteners — also referred to as sugar substitutes or low-calorie sweeteners — as a way to enjoy their favorite foods without as many calories. What are artificial sweeteners? Artificial sweeteners are chemicals or natural compounds that offer the sweetness of sugar without as many calories. Because the substitutes are much sweeter than sugar, it takes a much smaller quantity to create the same sweetness. Products made with artificial sweeteners have a much lower calorie count than do those made with sugar. Artificial sweeteners are often used as part of a weight-loss plan or as a means to control weight gain. People with diabetes may use artificial sweeteners because they make food taste sweet without raising blood sugar levels. But keep in mind
