Sucralose has zero calories and is 600 times sweeter than sugar. The WHO-commissioned meta-analysis (Toews et al., BMJ 2019) found no significant effect on body weight in RCTs. Recent research (Suez et al., Cell 2022) showed sucralose may alter gut microbiome composition in some individuals, though clinical significance is debated.
How should I track Sucralose (Splenda)?
When tracking Sucralose (Splenda), measuring by weight on a kitchen scale gives you the most precision. Volume measures vary depending on crystal size and powder density — a heaping spoonful can be double a level one. Research shows visual estimation errors reach 50–200% for calorie-dense foods (Almiron-Roig et al., Appetite 2013), and liquid sweeteners like honey are among the easiest to over-pour. For zero-calorie sweeteners, bulking agents add trace calories (2–4 per packet) — negligible in your daily total. For calorie-containing sweeteners, the scale is essential.