New Study Shows Splenda Might Make Crohn’s Disease Worse
As a registered dietitian who also suffers from Crohn’s disease, this piece of research grabbed my attention. I get asked frequently about the safety of artificial sweeteners, and Splenda has been approved as safe by the FDA.
According to a recent study published in the journal, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, consumption of Splenda in mice with induced Crohn’s disease was associated with an increase in harmful bacteria, proteobacteria, dysbiosis or an imbalance of gut bacteria, and an increase in inflammation in the GI tract. All of these conditions create the perfect storm to make symptoms of Crohn’s disease in these mice worse. In mice without Crohn’s disease, the Splenda had no effect. You can find the study here.
These findings could suggest that individuals with Crohn’s disease might think carefully about consuming sweeteners with the combination of sucralose and maltodextrin that Splenda uses. This study could have further implications for all individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, but more information is needed.
In the meantime, I’m ditching the Splenda!