Sucralose is one of the most widely used sweeteners in the world, and one of the most studied. From what sucralose is to how it compares to sugar and other sweeteners, this guide covers everything you need to know about its safety, science, and role in modern beverages like flavored water.
What is Sucralose?
Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener created from sugar through a simple molecular adjustment. It’s about 600 times sweeter than sugar, which means only very small amounts are needed to create the same sweetness.
Because it isn’t metabolized for energy, sucralose delivers flavor without calories, making it a popular choice in drinks and foods aimed at healthier lifestyles.
How is Sucralose Made?
Sucralose starts out as regular sugar. Through a multi-step process, three of the sugar molecule’s hydroxyl groups (hydrogen + oxygen) are replaced with chlorine atoms.
This simple change makes sucralose:
Calorie-free – the body doesn’t break it down for energy.
Heat-stable – it keeps its sweetness even in hot drinks and cooking.
Is sucralose really calorie-free? Understanding non-nutritive sweeteners
Sucralose vs Sugar: Key Differences
Feature | Sugar | Sucralose |
Calories | 121 kcal per can of cola – a major contributor to daily calorie intake when consumed in large amounts | 0 kcal |
Sweetness | Baseline measure for sweetness | ~600x sweeter than sugar – only tiny amounts are needed to achieve the same taste |
Blood Sugar Impact | Raises blood glucose and insulin levels, which can contribute to energy crashes and long-term risks like type 2 diabetes | Does not raise blood sugar or insulin, making it suitable for people with diabetes |
Dental Health | Sugar feeds oral bacteria, leading to cavities and enamel erosion | Tooth-friendly and does not contribute to cavities. |
Heat Stability | Yes, sugar holds up under heat and caramelizes when cooked | Yes, sucralose stays sweet even when exposed to high heat (like in hot drinks or baked goods), though it does not caramelize or add bulk like sugar |
Takeaway: Sucralose delivers sweetness without the calories, spikes, or dental issues linked to sugar.
Is Sucralose Safe?
Yes. Sucralose has been reviewed and approved by major health organizations globally, including:
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)
WHO (World Health Organization)
What the science shows:
No evidence of cancer or genetic harm (Magnuson et al., 2017).
No effect on blood sugar or insulin, making it suitable for people with diabetes (Grotz et al., 2017).Safe daily intake: 5 mg/kg body weight/day—well above normal consumption.
Dive further into the latest research on why sucralose is one of the safest sweeteners
Health Effects: What the Science Says
Diabetes: Does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels.
Dental health: Does not contribute to tooth decay.
Gut health: Human studies show minimal impact at normal intake levels.
Long-term safety: Supported by decades of global use within daily intake limits.
Learn more about how sucralose doesn't spike insulin or affect metabolism
Sucralose in Water & Flavored Beverages
One of the most common places you’ll find sucralose is in flavored water. It adds clean sweetness without sugar, making hydration more enjoyable and sustainable. Its stability and neutral taste profile have made it a go-to ingredient for modern, low-calorie beverages.
Why Aquablu Uses Sucralose in its Flavored Water Office Dispenser
Sucralose vs. Other Sweeteners
There’s no shortage of sugar alternatives—stevia, aspartame, monk fruit, and more. Each has benefits, but also trade-offs:
Stevia is natural and calorie-free, but some people find it bitter.
Aspartame is widely used in diet sodas, but isn’t heat-stable and unsuitable for those with PKU.
Monk Fruit is seen as “natural,” but still niche and often blended with other sweeteners.
Sucralose, by contrast, is calorie-free, heat-stable, and sugar-like in taste, without an aftertaste.
This combination makes sucralose one of the most versatile and widely accepted sweeteners in beverages today.
Explore our sweeteners deep dives.
Debunking Myths: Gut Health, Weight Gain, and More
Gut health: At normal consumption levels, human studies show little to no impact.
Weight gain: Sucralose itself doesn’t cause weight gain—extra calories from other foods usually do.
Safety concerns: Global health authorities continue to reaffirm its safety.
Debunk more sucralose myths around gut health.
Why Aquablu Uses Sucralose?
Because of all of the above! If you want to dive deeper into why Aquablu decided to use sucralose instead of other sweeteners, click here.
FAQs
What is sucralose?
Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener originally derived from sugar. Through a simple molecular change, it becomes around 600 times sweeter than table sugar, which means only tiny amounts are needed to deliver the same level of sweetness. Because the body doesn’t metabolize it for energy, sucralose contributes no calories, making it a popular choice in foods and beverages designed to reduce sugar intake without sacrificing taste.
Is sucralose safe?
Yes. Sucralose is considered safe for everyday consumption by major health authorities worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). These approvals are based on hundreds of scientific studies examining its effects on humans and animals. Importantly, research has found no evidence that sucralose causes cancer, genetic damage, or harmful long-term effects when consumed within recommended limits.
Does sucralose raise blood sugar?
No. Unlike sugar, sucralose does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels. This makes it particularly useful for people with diabetes or insulin resistance, as it allows them to enjoy sweet-tasting foods and drinks without disrupting glucose control. Multiple clinical studies have confirmed that sucralose can be consumed safely without impacting blood sugar regulation.
Does sucralose in water break a fast?
No. Sucralose contains no calories and no carbohydrates, so it does not break a fast or interfere with intermittent fasting practices. While some sweeteners can trigger small metabolic responses in certain individuals, research shows that sucralose has no measurable effect on insulin or blood glucose when consumed at normal levels, making it compatible with fasting, ketogenic diets, or other low-carb lifestyles.
How much sucralose is safe per day?
The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for sucralose, set by the FDA and EFSA, is 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. For perspective, a person weighing 70 kg (around 154 lbs) could consume up to 350 mg of sucralose daily without exceeding the safe limit. Typical consumption levels are far below this threshold, meaning most people would never come close to the ADI through normal dietary habits.
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