ATLANTA (May 31, 2013) — The findings from a study on sucralose and its potential effects on a small number of obese people who do not regularly use sucralose did not show that sucralose abnormally affects blood sugar or insulin levels. The study contradicts numerous other human studies that have found that people with or without diabetes can safely enjoy sucralose. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other important safety and regulatory agencies from around the world have concluded that sucralose does not adversely affect glucose control, including people with diabetes.
The study by Pepino et al. published in Diabetes Care did not involve people with diabetes and only used a small number of subjects. No information was presented on the statistical power of the study to assess the likelihood of a true relationship to the treatment, as opposed to potential confounding factors. The study included no review or control of diet or exercise in the days before the single tests of sweetened or unsweetened water and it used subjects who were excessively overweight (average BMI of 41). Both of these conditions can affect the measurements in this study. Given these limitations, the study should be interpreted with caution.
