Sucralose is a calorie-free artificial sweetener derived from sugar. You can use this sweetener for cooking and baking, and it’s about 600 times sweeter than sugar. Manufacturers also use sucralose in a variety of packaged foods and beverages. The downside to all of this is that it also has several side effects associated with its use, including migraines.
Why does sucralose cause migraine?
This sweetener can trigger migraines in certain individuals. Headaches may occur in some people, but not in others, and the exact mechanism and causal relationship between sucralose and migraines require further study. Currently, there is no clinical evidence to support this causal relationship. Although there may be a certain link in insulin spikes that is this substance when consumed in excess. As is the case with sugar, which makes blood glucose rise rapidly and plummet, causing a headache.
Additional side effects associated with sucralose include muscle aches, bloating, dizziness, diarrhea, numbness, and stomach pain . Also, it can cause bladder problems, panic-like agitation and intestinal cramps in some people.
Is it better than sugar?
Another concern regarding the use of sucralose is the effect that the sweetener can have on the thymus, a small organ in the upper chest that helps your body make white blood cells. Exceptionally high doses of sucralose can cause a decrease in the average weight of the thymus. However, the FDA has not classified it as dangerous.
This sweetener can help retain moisture and add bulk to foods, such as icings, sweet sauces, cheesecakes, and fruit tart fillings. The taste, texture and cooking time of foods made with sucralose will vary compared to foods made with sugar. You can also use sucralose in dairy products like light yogurt and low-fat flavored milk, low-fat coffee cream, light pudding, light ice cream, and light canned fruit.
