Learning just how much sugar is in a can of Coke is enough to convince many people to make the switch to diet alternatives. Sadly, many low-calorie or sugar-free options contain artificial sweeteners, which can end up causing you more harm than regular old sugar.
One popular sweetener is sucralose, which is commonly found in sports hydration products and energy drinks. But is it safe? Just how much sucralose is too much? And what are the sucralose levels in your favorite diet drinks?
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about sucralose, helping you make the smartest choices for your health and well-being. We’ll also introduce you to an incredible, natural sucralose alternative that tastes far better and doesn’t bring the health risks!
Overview of Sucralose
Before we discuss how much sucralose is too much, let’s take a quick look at the sweetener itself. Discovered in 1976, sucralose is derived from sugar through a process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with chlorine atoms.
This modification imparts a sweet taste to sucralose, making it about 600 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). Despite its intense sweetness, sucralose is not metabolized by the body, meaning it passes through without providing any calories, which is what made it so popular.
Unlike some sweeteners, sucralose is known for its stability under heat, making it suitable for use in cooking and baking. It’s also stable in acidic conditions, making sucralose compatible with acidic beverages, including various energy drinks and sports beverages.
Based on all that, sucralose may seem like a dream come true, but that’s not the full story. Let’s take a look at some of the concerns that have been raised about sucralose consumption to help you decide how much sucralose is too much.
Concerns Regarding Excessive Sucralose Consumption
Before we talk about how much sucralose is in Gatorade Zero or how much sucralose is in Sparkling Ice, here’s why some people have concerns about sucralose consumption and its health effects.
Potential Metabolic and Digestive Effects
Research has suggested that high doses of sucralose may influence metabolic processes and digestive functions. Some studies indicate a possible link between artificial sweeteners, including sucralose, and alterations in glucose metabolism.
Concerns have also been raised regarding sucralose's impact on insulin sensitivity, which is a key factor in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. While sugar-free options and artificial sweeteners may seem safer for diabetics, that may not be the case at all. And forget sucralose on keto!
Impact on Gut Microbiome and Immune System
Is sucralose bad for your gut? The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, influencing digestion, nutrient absorption, and even immune system function. There are concerns that too much sucralose might disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota.
Changes in the gut microbiome have been associated with various health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease and weight gain, raising questions about the long-term implications of sucralose on our immune system and overall well-being.
Other Concerns With Sucralose
Beyond metabolic and gut-related concerns, many people also experience sucralose allergy symptoms, including painful sucralose headaches that can completely derail your day.
Is sucralose bad for your teeth? While sucralose itself doesn’t have too much of an effect on your teeth, many products that contain sucralose often contain acids and other ingredients that can significantly damage tooth enamel.
How Much Sucralose is Too Much?
So, keeping those potential health risks in mind, how much sucralose is too much? Let’s take a closer look.
Establishing Safe Consumption Levels
Regulatory bodies like the FDA have set acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels for sucralose. The ADI represents the amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risks.
For sucralose, the ADI is 5mg per kg of body weight. However, this guideline was released in 1999, before we were familiar with some of the health issues associated with sucralose. Could it be time for the FDA to update its guidelines?
Identifying Signs of Excessive Consumption
Being alert to the signs and symptoms associated with too much sucralose is crucial for keeping your diet balanced and healthy. Consuming too much sucralose could lead to a number of potential health issues, with both short and long-term effects.
One of the first symptoms of too much sucralose is digestive discomfort. You may experience cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and other signs of an upset stomach. Long term, you may see metabolic changes or weight gain.
You May Want to Avoid Sucralose Altogether…
Although the FDA has guidelines around safe sucralose levels, it’s hard to know exactly how much sucralose is too much, especially because we all have different tolerances and reactions to the sweetener.
The best way to eliminate the health risks that come with sucralose is to avoid this sweetener altogether. This way, you’ll never have to worry about checking labels and calculating ADIs - you can just enjoy natural foods and low sugar drinks without artificial sweeteners without thinking twice.
How Much Sucralose is in Common Drinks?
Do you know how much sucralose is in Celsius? Or how much sucralose is in Prime? Let’s take a look at some of the most common beverages sweetened with sucralose and break down just how much of the sweetener is in each one.
How Much Sucralose is in Celsius?
Celsius energy drinks contain 0.1 grams, or 100mg of sucralose in each can. While this is within the FDA’s ADI for adults, it’s certainly not safe for kids. Plus, many people comment that even with this relatively low dose, they can taste the unpleasant sucralose aftertaste with this drink.
How Much Sucralose is in Prime?
Prime also contains sucralose, but it’s almost impossible to find exactly how much. It’s not listed on the bottles, and although mentioned in the ingredients list, there’s no value associated with sucralose. If you’re trying to be mindful of what goes into your body, this isn’t a great start!
How Much Sucralose is in Gatorade Zero?
Gatorade Zero contains 20mg of sucralose in every 8-ounce serving. While this may not seem like much at first, 8 ounces is a small amount of Gatorade. Most bottles are at least 20 ounces, which would be 50mg of sucralose - still less than Celsius.
How Much Sucralose is in Cirkul?
There are many different Cirkul products, and some contain sucralose. However, it’s almost impossible to find out how much. If you’re concerned about the sucralose content in Cirkul, opt for one of the flavors that’s sucralose-free.
How Much Sucralose is in Sparkling Ice?
Sparkling ice is also sweetened with sucralose, with about 60mg in each 17-ounce bottle. If you’re drinking multiple bottles of Sparling Ice per day, you could be starting to push the FDA’s ADI limits.
How Much Sucralose is in Diet Pepsi?
Diet Pepsi used to contain sucralose, but today’s formulation uses acesulfame K and aspartame instead. Unfortunately, these are not better for you than sucralose - early research has shown links between aspartame and liver cancer.
How Much Sucralose is in Ghost Energy Drink?
How much sucralose is in Ghost Energy Drink? While this energy drink does contain sucralose, it’s unclear how much is in each can. It’s listed above caffeine, suggesting there are more than 200mg of sucralose in each can, but that isn’t confirmed.
How Much Sucralose is in Fairlife Protein Shake?
How much sucralose is in Fairlife Protein Shake? In each 340mL shake, there’s 4.5mg of sucralose, which is substantially less than many of the other beverages on this list.
How Much Sucralose is in Propel?
Propel is a zero-calorie “sports water drink” that contains electrolytes. But how much sucralose is in Propel? Unfortunately, it isn’t exactly clear. What we do know is that Propel contains another sweetener, acesulfame K, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Get Sucralose-Free Drinks and Snacks at Oobli!
As you can see, getting the answers you need isn’t easy. Nutritional information is often vague and incomplete, and specific quantities of sweeteners aren’t always listed. If you’re trying to avoid sucralose and the health risks it brings, it’s best to avoid these drinks altogether.
Unfortunately, other artificial sweeteners are just as bad. There are health concerns with stevia vs sucralose, erythritol and other sugar alcohols are bad for you, and many people experience uncomfortable intolerance to artificial sweeteners symptoms, like digestive issues.
Luckily, here at Oobli we’ve got the perfect alternative for you: our naturally sweet iced tea made from nature’s own sweet proteins! Whether you’re looking for drinks without aspartame or trying to avoid sucralose like the plague, you’ve come to the right place!
What’s Behind the Sweetness in Our Products?
Here at Oobli, we do things a bit differently. Our products are sweetened with sweet proteins; naturally occurring compounds found in certain tropical fruits. Sweet proteins can be thousands of times sweeter than regular sugar, which means that only a tiny amount is needed.
With the power of sweet proteins, we have created low-sugar, all-natural products that don’t come with the baggage of artificial sweeteners. You can finally enjoy your favorite treats without feeling guilty about calories or worrying about the side effects of sweeteners! At last!
Taste and Feel the Difference in Our Sweet Tea and Chocolate Today!
As well as all the unwanted side effects, another downside of artificial sweeteners is the distinct aftertaste that many of them leave behind. It’s usually a bitter, unpleasant taste that lingers in your mouth for hours - yuck.
One of the best things about using sweet proteins to sweeten our products is that they deliver a powerfully sweet flavor without an aftertaste. Because we’re using natural ingredients, our products taste… natural!
The best way to experience Oobli’s sweet proteins is to try our revolutionary treats for yourself. Browse our thirst-quenching selection of delicious sweet iced teas, and explore our range of creamy, decadent dark chocolate bars. You won’t regret it!
Closing Thoughts on How Much Sucralose is Too Much
So, how much sucralose is too much? While the FDA set limits for sucralose in the 1990s, new research suggests that sucralose may not be as safe as it once was, especially seeing as it’s used in so many products now, and we’re consuming more and more of it without realizing it.
Because of this, many people are choosing to avoid sucralose altogether, or actively monitoring their sucralose intake to keep their consumption in check. If that sounds like a lot of work, switch to Oobli and don’t spend another second worrying about sucralose and artificial sweeteners!
Try our sweet iced tea and rich dark chocolate today - you’ll never look back!
