Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSaccharin vs. SugarSaccharin SafetySaccharin Alternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Saccharin vs. Sugar
Saccharin Safety
Saccharin Alternatives
Research in the 1970s linked saccharin with the onset ofbladder cancerin lab rats. However, further studies proved that saccharin is safe for human use. Today, it is approved for use in more than 100 countries.
This article describes how saccharin compares to sugar and its safety for human use. It also explains where it is used and options for alternatives.
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Saccharin and Sugar: What Is the Connection?
Saccharin, like other artificial sweeteners, was made to create sweetness without addingcaloriesthe way sugar does. While saccharin is produced from chemicals in a laboratory, sugar is a natural substance derived from sugar cane, a tropical grass.
Since saccharin is up to 700 times sweeter than sugar, a tiny amount of saccharin provides the same level of sweetness as a larger amount of sugar, but without the calories. While these substances do not contain calories, they also offer no beneficial nutrients likefiber,vitamins, minerals, orantioxidants.
When natural sugar is consumed, it is broken down into the simple sugarsfructoseandglucoseso your body can use what it needs for energy. The remainder will be stored in different forms for future use. However, when you consume saccharin, it is not broken down or used for energy. Consumed saccharin passes through your body until it is excreted unchanged without providing calories.
Saccharin also differs fromSplenda (sucralose). Splenda stands out from other artificial sweeteners because it is manufactured from sugar. Only about 15% of consumed sucralose is absorbed, but it is not broken down into energy. Both absorbed and unabsorbed sucralose are excreted.
Aspartameis another nonnutritive artificial sweetener. It compares to saccharin in the following ways:
Is There Such a Thing as Healthy Sugar?
Many approvals occurred after controversial research in the 1970s challenged the safety of the human consumption of saccharin. These studies reported a link between saccharin and bladder cancer in male rats. However, subsequent observational research showed that the biological mechanisms likely for the link did not apply to humans.
According to the FDA, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for saccharin is 5 milligrams per kilogram (2.3 milligrams per pound) of body weight per day. The ADI represents the amount of a substance considered safe to consume daily throughout a person’s lifetime without causing adverse effects or harm.
Based on the recommended ADI for saccharin, a person weighing 132 pounds (60 kilograms) would have to consume 45 packets of saccharin to reach the ADI for saccharin.
Ingredient Interactions/Known Benefits of SaccharinSaccharin is a heat-stable substance that is appropriate for use in cooking and baking. It has a low risk of interaction with drugs when used at advised levels of consumption.Using saccharin may benefit people who want to reduce their overall carbohydrate and calorie intake. It may also be useful for weight loss and glycemic control in people with diabetes and those who are obese.
Ingredient Interactions/Known Benefits of Saccharin
Saccharin is a heat-stable substance that is appropriate for use in cooking and baking. It has a low risk of interaction with drugs when used at advised levels of consumption.Using saccharin may benefit people who want to reduce their overall carbohydrate and calorie intake. It may also be useful for weight loss and glycemic control in people with diabetes and those who are obese.
Saccharin is a heat-stable substance that is appropriate for use in cooking and baking. It has a low risk of interaction with drugs when used at advised levels of consumption.
Using saccharin may benefit people who want to reduce their overall carbohydrate and calorie intake. It may also be useful for weight loss and glycemic control in people with diabetes and those who are obese.
Foods With Saccharin
Saccharin is most often found in foods and beverages promoted as being “sugar-free” or “diet,” “light,” or “reduced-calorie” products.It is approved for use as a sweetening agent in special foods under the following guidelines:
The FDA has also approved the use of saccharin for the following technological purposes in certain consumed products:
The best way to determine whether a food product contains saccharin is to read the product’s label. Any food or beverage containing saccharin includes its name and quantity used on the nutrition facts label.
You may find saccharin in many types of foods and drinks, including, but not limited to, the following products:
Saccharin is also sold in liquid or granule form for use as a table sweetener or an ingredient in baking. One packet provides sweetness comparable to two teaspoons of sugar in these forms. Brand names of saccharin include:
Including saccharin, the FDA has approved six artificial sweeteners for use in foods in the United States. Consider one of following substances if you are seeking an alternative to saccharin:
Sucralose vs. SugarSucralose is extracted from sucrose. It is blended with calorie-free sweeteners such as maltodextrin and dextrose to reduce its excessive sweetness. Unlike sugar, most of the sucralose you consume is not absorbed.While both substances provide a sweet taste, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar. Compared to the 4 calories per gram found in sugar, sucralose is calorie-free. While your body breaks down sugar and stores it for future energy, sucralose passes through your body unchanged.
Sucralose vs. Sugar
Sucralose is extracted from sucrose. It is blended with calorie-free sweeteners such as maltodextrin and dextrose to reduce its excessive sweetness. Unlike sugar, most of the sucralose you consume is not absorbed.While both substances provide a sweet taste, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar. Compared to the 4 calories per gram found in sugar, sucralose is calorie-free. While your body breaks down sugar and stores it for future energy, sucralose passes through your body unchanged.
Sucralose is extracted from sucrose. It is blended with calorie-free sweeteners such as maltodextrin and dextrose to reduce its excessive sweetness. Unlike sugar, most of the sucralose you consume is not absorbed.
While both substances provide a sweet taste, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar. Compared to the 4 calories per gram found in sugar, sucralose is calorie-free. While your body breaks down sugar and stores it for future energy, sucralose passes through your body unchanged.
Reasons to Avoid Saccharin
While saccharin is deemed safe, there are a few reasons to consider an alternative to saccharin.
Research suggests that long-term intake of saccharin, aspartame, or diet soda may increase deposits ofsubcutaneous (under your skin) body fat, visceral (between your internal organs) body fat, and intermuscular (visible within a muscle) body fat. It may also increase the risk of incident obesity independent of the quality of your diet or the amount of calories consumed.
Research is inconclusive on the potential effects of saccharin on thegut microbiomeand the possible consequences on health maintenance and disease status in humans.The gut microbiome plays an important role in the following functions:
Since there are no rules regarding nonnutritive sweeteners like saccharin during pregnancy, pregnant women should discuss the decision to use it with their healthcare provider.
Results of a 2019 study suggest that long-term saccharin use increases the risk ofobesity,diabetes,liver damage, andkidney impairment. The results also suggest an increased risk of brain carcinogenesis.
Stevia Side Effects: Is It Safe?
Summary
Saccharin is an artificial sweetener that is up to 700 times sweeter than sugar. While it ranks as the first in its class, newer options that do not produce its metallic aftertaste are often preferred.
Despite research that linked the product to cancer in lab rats, further studies showed that the risk does not extend to humans. Studies suggest that saccharin and other artificial sweeteners may pose a range of health risks with excess use.
More research is needed to determine the safety of using saccharin in those with special health issues such as pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help you decide whether this substance or a newer sweetener may benefit you.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Aspartame and other sweeteners in food.Food Insight.What is saccharin?Azeez OH, Alkass SY, Persike DS.Long-term saccharin consumption and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hepatic dysfunction, and renal Impairment in rats.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;Oct 9;55(10):681. doi:10.3390/medicina55100681Jo JH, Kim S, Jeon TW, Jeong TC, Lee S.Investigation of the regulatory effects of saccharin on cytochrome P450s in male ICR mice.Toxicol Res. 2017;Jan;33(1):25-30. doi:10.5487/TR.2017.33.1.025Food and Drug Administration.Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Dwyer JT, Melanson KJ, Sriprachy-anunt U, et al.Dietary treatment of obesity. [Updated 2015 Feb 28]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-.Chattopadhyay S, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R.Artificial sweeteners - a review.J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Apr;51(4):611-21. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0571-1Food Insight.What is sucralose?Steffen BT, Jacobs DR, Yi SY.et al.Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study.Int J Obes.2023;47:939–947. doi:10.1038/s41366-023-01336-yDel Pozo S, Gómez-Martínez S, Díaz LE, Nova E, Urrialde R, Marcos A.Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on gut microbiota: a review.Nutrients. 2022;Apr 18;14(8):1682. doi:10.3390/nu14081682Shan Y, Lee M, Chang E.The gut microbiome and inflammatory bowel disease.Annu Rev Med. 2022 Jan;73(1):455-468. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-042320-021020Hou K, Wu ZX, Chen XY, et al.Microbiota in health and diseases.Sig Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Apr;7(1):135. doi:10.1038/s41392-022-00974-4Concha F, Sambra V, Cáceres P, López-Arana S, Carvajal B, Gotteland M.Maternal consumption and perinatal exposure to non-nutritive sweeteners: should we be concerned?Front Pediatr. 2023;Jun 12;11:1200990. doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1200990
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Aspartame and other sweeteners in food.Food Insight.What is saccharin?Azeez OH, Alkass SY, Persike DS.Long-term saccharin consumption and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hepatic dysfunction, and renal Impairment in rats.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;Oct 9;55(10):681. doi:10.3390/medicina55100681Jo JH, Kim S, Jeon TW, Jeong TC, Lee S.Investigation of the regulatory effects of saccharin on cytochrome P450s in male ICR mice.Toxicol Res. 2017;Jan;33(1):25-30. doi:10.5487/TR.2017.33.1.025Food and Drug Administration.Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Dwyer JT, Melanson KJ, Sriprachy-anunt U, et al.Dietary treatment of obesity. [Updated 2015 Feb 28]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-.Chattopadhyay S, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R.Artificial sweeteners - a review.J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Apr;51(4):611-21. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0571-1Food Insight.What is sucralose?Steffen BT, Jacobs DR, Yi SY.et al.Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study.Int J Obes.2023;47:939–947. doi:10.1038/s41366-023-01336-yDel Pozo S, Gómez-Martínez S, Díaz LE, Nova E, Urrialde R, Marcos A.Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on gut microbiota: a review.Nutrients. 2022;Apr 18;14(8):1682. doi:10.3390/nu14081682Shan Y, Lee M, Chang E.The gut microbiome and inflammatory bowel disease.Annu Rev Med. 2022 Jan;73(1):455-468. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-042320-021020Hou K, Wu ZX, Chen XY, et al.Microbiota in health and diseases.Sig Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Apr;7(1):135. doi:10.1038/s41392-022-00974-4Concha F, Sambra V, Cáceres P, López-Arana S, Carvajal B, Gotteland M.Maternal consumption and perinatal exposure to non-nutritive sweeteners: should we be concerned?Front Pediatr. 2023;Jun 12;11:1200990. doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1200990
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Aspartame and other sweeteners in food.Food Insight.What is saccharin?Azeez OH, Alkass SY, Persike DS.Long-term saccharin consumption and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hepatic dysfunction, and renal Impairment in rats.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;Oct 9;55(10):681. doi:10.3390/medicina55100681Jo JH, Kim S, Jeon TW, Jeong TC, Lee S.Investigation of the regulatory effects of saccharin on cytochrome P450s in male ICR mice.Toxicol Res. 2017;Jan;33(1):25-30. doi:10.5487/TR.2017.33.1.025Food and Drug Administration.Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.Dwyer JT, Melanson KJ, Sriprachy-anunt U, et al.Dietary treatment of obesity. [Updated 2015 Feb 28]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-.Chattopadhyay S, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R.Artificial sweeteners - a review.J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Apr;51(4):611-21. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0571-1Food Insight.What is sucralose?Steffen BT, Jacobs DR, Yi SY.et al.Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study.Int J Obes.2023;47:939–947. doi:10.1038/s41366-023-01336-yDel Pozo S, Gómez-Martínez S, Díaz LE, Nova E, Urrialde R, Marcos A.Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on gut microbiota: a review.Nutrients. 2022;Apr 18;14(8):1682. doi:10.3390/nu14081682Shan Y, Lee M, Chang E.The gut microbiome and inflammatory bowel disease.Annu Rev Med. 2022 Jan;73(1):455-468. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-042320-021020Hou K, Wu ZX, Chen XY, et al.Microbiota in health and diseases.Sig Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Apr;7(1):135. doi:10.1038/s41392-022-00974-4Concha F, Sambra V, Cáceres P, López-Arana S, Carvajal B, Gotteland M.Maternal consumption and perinatal exposure to non-nutritive sweeteners: should we be concerned?Front Pediatr. 2023;Jun 12;11:1200990. doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1200990
Food and Drug Administration.Aspartame and other sweeteners in food.
Food Insight.What is saccharin?
Azeez OH, Alkass SY, Persike DS.Long-term saccharin consumption and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hepatic dysfunction, and renal Impairment in rats.Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;Oct 9;55(10):681. doi:10.3390/medicina55100681
Jo JH, Kim S, Jeon TW, Jeong TC, Lee S.Investigation of the regulatory effects of saccharin on cytochrome P450s in male ICR mice.Toxicol Res. 2017;Jan;33(1):25-30. doi:10.5487/TR.2017.33.1.025
Food and Drug Administration.Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
Dwyer JT, Melanson KJ, Sriprachy-anunt U, et al.Dietary treatment of obesity. [Updated 2015 Feb 28]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-.
Chattopadhyay S, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R.Artificial sweeteners - a review.J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Apr;51(4):611-21. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0571-1
Food Insight.What is sucralose?
Steffen BT, Jacobs DR, Yi SY.et al.Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study.Int J Obes.2023;47:939–947. doi:10.1038/s41366-023-01336-y
Del Pozo S, Gómez-Martínez S, Díaz LE, Nova E, Urrialde R, Marcos A.Potential effects of sucralose and saccharin on gut microbiota: a review.Nutrients. 2022;Apr 18;14(8):1682. doi:10.3390/nu14081682
Shan Y, Lee M, Chang E.The gut microbiome and inflammatory bowel disease.Annu Rev Med. 2022 Jan;73(1):455-468. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-042320-021020
Hou K, Wu ZX, Chen XY, et al.Microbiota in health and diseases.Sig Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Apr;7(1):135. doi:10.1038/s41392-022-00974-4
Concha F, Sambra V, Cáceres P, López-Arana S, Carvajal B, Gotteland M.Maternal consumption and perinatal exposure to non-nutritive sweeteners: should we be concerned?Front Pediatr. 2023;Jun 12;11:1200990. doi:10.3389/fped.2023.1200990
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