Can sucralose affect spontaneous behavior?
Kiara Aiello
Sucralose is a sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar, it adds no calories to your diet, and does not affect your insulin levels, which means that it is safe to consume for everyone: you, your children and your entire family, including diabetics.
There are lots of rumours surrounding sweeteners, and their adverse effects that can compromise the health of consumers. But do not worry! A number of sucralose studies regarding its potential for carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, reproductive effects etc. have proved that it is a safe substance for consumers.
For example, studies involving mice and rats were undertaken in an attempt to discover the levels of sucralose each mouse could absorb before fatalities occurred. Despite extreme doses being used it was found that no deaths occurred at doses 100 times higher than what you will consume regularly.
Another meaningful test in toxicological studies is spontaneous behavior, used to get information about motor activity, habituation, and cognitive functions in the adult animal. This test reflects functions that are of importance for the individual/species in the wild.
In Aiello’s study, the spontaneous behavior test was performed on mice exposed to sucralose in a very sensitive period of brain development. Now you must be wondering: Can sucralose affect spontaneous behavior? The answer is NO! Aiello’s study showed no effects whatsoever when spontaneous behavior was tested in sucralose-exposed mice! This lack of effects corroborate that sucralose is unlikely to have developmental neurotoxic effects after exposure to neonatal mice; and therefore eliminates any doubt that sucralose is safe to consume!
Degree project in biology
Examensarbete i biologi, 15 hp, Uppsala University, 2009
Biology Education Centre and Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University
Supervisor: Henrik Viberg.
