Los Angeles (Agencies): A new study has found that sucralose, a widely used artificial sweetener found in diet sodas and sugar substitutes, may trigger brain changes that increase hunger, potentially leading to weight gain instead of weight loss.
Published in the journal Nature Metabolism, the study examined how sucralose affects the brain’s appetite control mechanisms. According to lead author Dr. Katie Page of the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, consuming sucralose in drinks activated brain regions linked to hunger and motivation to eat. “Sucralose activates the area in the brain that regulates hunger, and that activation, in turn, is linked to greater ratings of hunger,” Page explained. Participants who consumed sucralose reported a nearly 20% increase in appetite compared to those who drank water with regular sugar.
Sucralose is commonly found in sugar substitutes such as Splenda in the United States and is labeled as E955 in Europe under brands like Candys, Canderel Yellow, and Zerocal. While previous research has suggested artificial sweeteners might interfere with the body’s ability to regulate appetite, Page’s study is one of the most comprehensive to date, using brain scans, blood tests, and hunger ratings to analyze the effects.
Experts say the findings add to growing concerns over the long-term impact of artificial sweeteners. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously warned against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight loss, stating that replacing sugar with artificial alternatives does not help with long-term weight control.
A spokesperson for Heartland Food Products Group, the manufacturer of Splenda, defended the use of low- and zero-calorie sweeteners, stating they are backed by scientific research and expert recommendations for weight and diabetes management. However, other researchers, including Dr. David Katz, a preventive medicine specialist, said the study strengthens evidence that sucralose and similar compounds may disrupt normal appetite regulation and have unintended health effects.
The study tested 75 participants, who consumed three different drinks on separate occasions: plain water, water with regular sugar, and water with sucralose. Brain scans revealed that sucralose increased activity between the hypothalamus and the anterior cingulate cortex—regions involved in decision-making related to hunger. Additionally, sucralose failed to trigger the release of hormones that signal satiety, meaning the brain received a sweetness signal without the calories needed to feel full.
While the study focused only on sucralose, past research suggests that other artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, may have similar effects. Experts recommend reducing overall consumption of sweeteners, both artificial and natural, and retraining taste preferences to favor less sugary foods. “A truly wholesome diet has little added sugar in the first place, and thus no sugar to ‘replace’ with sucralose and related compounds,” Katz said.
As more research emerges, health experts continue to stress moderation when it comes to artificial sweeteners, especially for those looking to manage weight and metabolic health.