Splenda, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1988 as a tabletop sweetener and sweetener for an array of other products, is a chlorocarbon. Chlorocarbons are known to cause organ, genetic and reproductive damage, which may explain why Splenda has been found to shrink the thymus gland--a foundation of the immune system--by 40 percent.

According to Dr. Hull, sucralose also causes:

• Swelling of the liver and kidneys
• Calcification of the kidney
• Fertility issues in male rats
• Gastrointestinal problems in pregnant rats

It is especially important to stop using Splenda immediately if you experience kidney pain, cramping, swelling, an irritated bladder, or blood in your urine, she says. It is also interesting to note the information taken directly from a statement from the manufacturer of Splenda:

'Sucralose is made from sugar, but is derived from sucrose (sugar) through a process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sucrose molecule. No artificial sweetener made in the laboratory is going to be neither natural to the body nor safer than unprocessed sugar.'

Splenda is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar, but the sweetness is forced, not like a natural sugar the body uses for fuel, says Dr. Hull. And although corporations say Splenda is safe, they have said the same thing about aspartame, which is now linked to disease and obesity. They also claim that the chlorine atoms in Splenda are altered and therefore safe, yet it's known that any animal that eats chlorine (especially on a regular basis) is at risk of cancer.

The corporate researchers go on further to say that sucralose is the most tested food additive in history. They stated, verbatim, the same thing about aspartame and, according to Dr. Hull, consumers are witnessing the same state of affairs in many ways.

Dr. Janet Hull Newsletter July 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Most readers know that I do not recommend using Splenda in any form. For further information on Splenda you can review my Splenda toxicity page and read through the many testimonials people have sent in about this product.

So are you willing to risk your health by consuming something that closely resembles DDT?

Well, I sure am not and have and will continue to avoid this artificial sweetener and encourage you to do the same. In fact, I feel so strongly about this topic that I am in the process of writing a book about Splenda and its dangers. The co-author will be the author of this article, Dr. Janet Hull. I am very excited about the collaboration and we hope to have the book out shortly after Christmas.

Related Articles:

Splenda Compared to a "Biochemical Warfare Agent"--See One Woman’s Shocking Photos

Splenda's Dangers: One Man’s Personal Story That You Should Know

Splenda is Not a "Healthy" Sweetener

Now Even Starbucks Can Make You Sick With Splenda

12 Questions You Need to Have Answered Before You Eat Splenda

Great, Now We Have Artificial and Real Sugar in the Same Soda