Bitter News About Splenda

Many low-cal sweetener devotees have flocked to Splenda for its claims as being made like sugar.

But a study conducted by researchers at Duke University--and funded by the Sugar Association--determined that Splenda contributes to obesity, destroys “good” intestinal bacteria and prevents prescription drugs from being absorbed, according to the New York Times.

McNeil, the division of Johnson and Johnson that makes Splenda, says that Splenda will not cause weight gain and can be used as part of a healthy diet.

Splenda execs are also questioning the involvement of a lobbying group in the study, according to FoodNavigator.com. But consumer groups are focused on the fact that Splenda appears to be a health threat.

The study was conducted on male rats, which, according to the Times, is also how the FDA tested Splenda before the agency approved it for sale.

Splenda came on to the market in 1999 and the Sugar Association sued Splenda's maker, McNeil, in 2004 over its tagline "made like sugar, so it tastes like sugar." The slogan is now "it’s made from sugar. It tastes like sugar. But it’s not sugar.”

The clarity is nice. But since sugar is only 15 calories per teaspoon, maybe you could just use the real thing and take the stairs after your next cup of coffee.

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