A new study published in the journal Nature Metabolism suggests that Splenda may not be as harmless for weight management as previously thought. The sugar substitute, sucralose, can confuse the brain by providing a sweet taste without delivering calories, leading to increased appetite and feelings of hunger.
Researchers tested 75 people who drank water, a drink sweetened with sucralose, or a drink sweetened with regular sugar. The results showed that sucralose increased activity in the hypothalamus, a brain region that regulates appetite and body weight, and prompted increased connectivity between this area and other regions involved in motivation and sensory processing.
This suggests that sucralose could impact cravings or eating behavior, particularly in people with obesity. Blood tests also revealed that drinking sugar led to increases in blood sugar levels and hormones that regulate those levels, but sucralose had no effect on these hormones.
The study’s lead investigator, Dr. Kathleen Page, warns that future studies should examine the long-term effects of sucralose on weight management, as children and teenagers may be particularly vulnerable due to their high consumption of sugar substitutes.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-03-28/sugar-substitute-appears-to-boost-appetite-hunger