When You Eat Splenda Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body

Have you turned to Splenda to replace that sweet kick sugar provides? You probably know that eating sugar can make you feel good, as it triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, as noted by NPR. Of course, that makes it all the more difficult to cut it out of your diet — even when you use a sugar substitute.

While that initial sugar rush may have you flying high, it doesn't take long before you're in an energy-sucking slump, according to Runner's World. Plus, eating too much sugar can lead to a host of adverse health impacts, such as inflammation, tooth decay, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease, per the Mayo Clinic. Perhaps it's those health concerns that have you opting for sucralose to satiate your sweet tooth. After all, according to Splenda's website, the sweetener "tastes like sugar (but it's not sugar) — and it doesn't break down in your body to provide carbohydrate or calories."

That sounds wonderful, of course, but there are some things you should know about the habitual use of this popular calorie-free sugar substitute. This is what happens to you body when you eat Splenda every day.

One of the main reasons people reach for artificial sweeteners as opposed to good old sugar is because sugar can cause gain weight, as noted by Medical News Today. But is Splenda really a good option if you're trying to shed unwanted pounds? "Eating Splenda daily may be helpful for those with a goal of weight loss as it is a no-calorie sugar substitute," registered dietitian Elle Merrill explained to The List. "Sweet tea or coffee can be enjoyed without the additional of unnecessary calories from real sugar." The same goes for your morning oatmeal or smoothie as well.

But that doesn't mean that Splenda is a magic bullet, as it may impact future food choices, according to registered dietitian Joelle Malinowski. "In many circumstances, someone will choose that diet soda to decrease calories, but then replace those calories with a dessert after dinner," she shared with The List. And that swap would negate any benefit that you'd get from eating Splenda in the first place. So, like with any food, your mileage may vary.

In addition to potentially increasing your appetite, if you eat Splenda every day it might increase the amount of beverages that you drink. But it's not because it dehydrates you, as noted by registered dietitian Trista Best. "You may drink more coffee, tea, and other sweetened beverages because you find them more enjoyable due to taste," she revealed to The List. "Many non-coffee drinkers will begin their coffee habit by finding an artificial sweetener that curbs the bitter taste they have avoided." 

If you find that this is the case for you, you may want to start tracking your daily caloric intake, according to Best. "This increase in coffee or tea may also lead to consuming more calories from creamers and other additives," she continued. You also might find yourself ingesting more caffeine as well, given that many coffees and teas are high in the stimulant. While that might not be a bad thing for everyone, folks with anxiety or other caffeine sensitivities should be careful, according to Everyday Health.

One of the nice things about Splenda — if not the entire reason that it exists in the first place — is that it's devoid of any calories. While that's great if you're trying to avoid sugar and still have some sweetness, you still need to be mindful about what you're eating, according to registered dietitian Amanda A. Kostro Miller. "If you use Splenda as a low-calorie crutch, you may be missing out on nutritious foods," she shared with The List. "If you're always using Splenda in your drinks, you may be skimping on plain water intake and/or low-fat milk." And those are both a healthy part of a balanced diet.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to making sure that you're taking good care of your body, Kostro Miller divulged. "Just because Splenda has very little calories and currently has no major adverse side effects, it doesn't mean it's something you should be eating in unlimited amounts," she continued. Hmm, we're starting to sense a theme here.

One of the really quirky things about Splenda is that if you eat it every day, your body may eventually adjust to it. For example, consider your blood sugar levels: One small study of folks with severe obesity found that consuming Splenda elevated both their blood sugar and insulin levels. However, these individuals didn't already have a daily Splenda habit, which is key.

Evidence points to the body adjusting to regular Splenda consumption, according to nutrition writer Hrefna Palsdottir. "Several other studies in people with average weight who didn't have any significant medical conditions have found no effects on blood sugar and insulin levels," she penned in an article in Healthline. And these people were definitely regular consumers of Splenda.

If you already eat Splenda every day in small amounts, you probably don't need to worry about that potentially negative health impact. As Healthine explained, "If you like the taste of sucralose and your body handles it well, it's probably fine to use in moderation."

Unfortunately for Splenda fans, eating the no-calorie sweetener on a daily basis may just increase the likelihood that you'll develop type II diabetes."Your blood glucose/risk of diabetes will increase because Splenda and other alternative sweeteners change the composition of the gut flora," registered dietitian Trista Best told The List. "This has many health implications, but one interesting effect is its impact on blood glucose regulation." That was also the conclusion of a study published by the American Diabetes Association. We're sorry, #TeamSplenda.

However, it's important to note that the science isn't entirely clear here, according to Holly Strawbridge, the former editor of Harvard Health. "The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) have given a cautious nod to the use of artificial sweeteners in place of sugar to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes," she wrote in an article for Harvard University. That's because eating sugar is a surefire way to raise your diabetes risk.

It's complicated and more research is needed to determine just how eating Splenda is connected to diabetes. As always, talk to your doctor or dietitian to find out what's best for you personally.

Few things may make you more conscious about what you put into your body than pregnancy. The prospect of bringing an entirely new life into the world is a huge responsibility, and that makes many folks especially concerned about they should and shouldn't do for the health of their babies and themselves. What foods and drinks are safe? What's unsafe? There really are a ton of questions. And what about when it comes to Splenda?

"Although more research is required to fully determine the effects of in utero exposure to sugar substitutes, the available data do not suggest adverse effects in pregnancy," a study published in the journal Canadian Family Physician revealed. "However, it is recommended that sugar substitutes be consumed in moderate amounts, adhering to the acceptable daily intake standards set by regulatory agencies." Once again, the key to staying healthy is not to overdo it on the Splenda every day.

In a nutshell, Splenda can be a pretty great option for folks who want to eat less sugar, but still crave sweet-tasting foods. So if you add a few packets of it to your morning coffee or tea, you'll, in all likelihood, have no trouble with it whatsoever.

But if you're super athletic and otherwise healthy, you really shouldn't bother with Splenda. That's because you need more energy than the average person, who probably isn't out there training for a marathon. So, according to registered dietitian Lindsey Pfau, you're better off enjoying the real thing — especially on days when you'll be working out extra hard. "We know our bodies need calories," she explained in an interview with Runner's World. "So we should put good calories in the body." Of course, the key is as you probably guessed: enjoying it in moderation. And that's true whether you're an athlete or not.