So I found out what Splenda really is...

2 Sugar molecules fused with 3 Chlorine molecoles...

Resembles a pesticide much more than a sugar substitute...

Just thought I'd throw that out there...

I'd be interested to see how they are broken down by our body.  Chlorine is primarily harmful when it is found by itself.

We use chlorine in our pool water and constantly ingest it in small quantities in our water... (used to kill harmful bacteria).

Any ideas on this?

i can shed absolutely no light into your splenda questions.  however, i can tell you that it tastes splendid in hot milk chai.  mmmmmm.

Just random info I came across:

Exposure to chlorine can occur in the workplace or in the environment following releases to air, water, or land. People who use laundry bleach and swimming pool chemicals containing chlorine products are usually not exposed to chlorine itself. Chlorine is generally found only in industrial settings.

Chlorine enters the body breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated food or water. It does not remain in the body, due to its reactivity.

Effects of chlorine on human health depend on how the amount of chlorine that is present, and the length and frequency of exposure. Effects also depend on the health of a person or condition of the environment when exposure occurs.

Human health effects associated with breathing or otherwise consuming small amounts of chlorine over long periods of time are not known. Some studies show that workers develop adverse effects from repeat inhalation exposure to chlorine, but others will not.

I think it all depends on how many molecules and how they are put together. For example, sodium CHLORIDE, is salt. Only harmful in huge quantitites and absolutely needed for sustaining life in smaller quantities. So I wouldnt get all hyped up about it.

per wikipedia "Chlorine atoms are covalently bonded to the carbon atoms in the sucralose molecule, making it a chlorocarbon. Many chlorocarbons are toxic; however, sucralose is unlike these chemicals because it is extremely insoluble in fat and does not accumulate in fat like most chlorinated hydrocarbons. In addition, sucralose does not break down or dechlorinate.[10]"

I opt for regular sugar in moderation for baking and such. For coffee or other drinks, I love Raw Sugar. I use so little and rarely consume sweets, so it's all good.

well since im not consuming like 5X my weight in splenda a day, i think ill keep using it...

i just love it when posts like this are made trying to scare people...who cares what others consume?!

:-P

As far as sugar substitutes go Sucralose (splenda) is the only one that chemically looks like sugar, which is why it is sweet.

I already know what Splenda really is...   ...awesome.

I agree with the Splenda lovers! I'm careful with everything else -- I'll take my chances on this! 

I can't eat Splenda.  Like Nutrasweet and Saccharin, it triggers my migraines.  The big 3 also mess with your glycemic index.  I can use Stevia, though, and it's pretty good.  It's just a plant extract.  I like being able to pronounce everything in the ingredient list.  "Stevia leaf extract," pretty easy to pronounce! ;)

I can't do Nutra Sweet because it makes me lightheaded/headachey -- a little bit is ok though, once in a while. I've heard controversy about Stevia as well. I'm gonna try it one day though. 

Everything in moderation! Treat splenda like real sugar. Don't over-consume it and you'll be all right.

The only time I consume Splenda is with breakfast, because the yogurt I buy is sweetened with it. And it tastes 100 times better than aspartame.

I've been trying to stay away from aspertame. But everything "diet" has either that or splenda.... Splenda is better than aspartame though.... RIGHT....????

The chlorine in Splenda keeps your body from absorbing the sugar.  So, in essence, it is sugar that passes right through you.  I read that in a news article when Splenda first came out.  The chlorine in Splenda is not harmful, as it is not in a gaseous form.

I had to chime in on the sodium chloride comment.  Sodium Chloride (table salt i.e. "when it rains it pours") is an acidic, man-made, processed, chemical innovation (not unlike sucralose) and should not be confused with sodium -- which the body needs to maintain proper fluid levels, energy, muscle function, PH levels.   Sea Salt, unlike table salt, is alkaline, contains over 80 trace minerals, and is beneficial to the body.  A pinch of sea salt added to water helps restore electrolyte balance.  Celery salt (not celery seasoned table salt) is also a beneficial source of sodium.  Sodium itself is alkaline, but not sodium chloride, which is a completely different animal.

Here is an interesting link on Splenda:

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/

Original Post by alayney:

I can't do Nutra Sweet because it makes me lightheaded/headachey -- a little bit is ok though, once in a while. I've heard controversy about Stevia as well. I'm gonna try it one day though. 

 I did some research online on Stevia - and it seems there's very little unbiased research.  However, most sources agree that it can lower blood pressure and lower blood sugar, and those that are allergic to the ragweed family may also be allergic to stevia. 

So if you are going to use stevia, be aware of the side effects, just like any other herb or spice.

Very little is truly "free", I'm afraid.

Take a highschool chemistry class and you won't be worried about the chlorine anymore. :)

Original Post by abcliana:

I had to chime in on the sodium chloride comment.  Sodium Chloride (table salt i.e. "when it rains it pours") is an acidic, man-made, processed, chemical innovation (not unlike sucralose) and should not be confused with sodium -- which the body needs to maintain proper fluid levels, energy, muscle function, PH levels.   Sea Salt, unlike table salt, is alkaline, contains over 80 trace minerals, and is beneficial to the body.  A pinch of sea salt added to water helps restore electrolyte balance.  Celery salt (not celery seasoned table salt) is also a beneficial source of sodium.  Sodium itself is alkaline, but not sodium chloride, which is a completely different animal.

Here is an interesting link on Splenda:

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/

Thanks for the lesson on the acidic/alkaline properties.

Original Post by abcliana:

I had to chime in on the sodium chloride comment.  Sodium Chloride (table salt i.e. "when it rains it pours") is an acidic, man-made, processed, chemical innovation (not unlike sucralose) and should not be confused with sodium -- which the body needs to maintain proper fluid levels, energy, muscle function, PH levels.   Sea Salt, unlike table salt, is alkaline, contains over 80 trace minerals, and is beneficial to the body.  A pinch of sea salt added to water helps restore electrolyte balance.  Celery salt (not celery seasoned table salt) is also a beneficial source of sodium.  Sodium itself is alkaline, but not sodium chloride, which is a completely different animal.

Here is an interesting link on Splenda:

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/

Please go and take a chemistry class before repeating this misinformation to others.

1. Sodium chloride is neither acidic nor alkaline.  It is perfectly neutral.
2. Sodium chloride is the main component of sea salt.  Yes, sea salt has more minerals in it than just sodium chloride, but that doesn't make table salt bad.  Also, most of the other minerals are also neutral, so sea salt is not particularly alkaline (and you wouldn't want it to be).
3. The sodium in table salt (or sea salt) is EXACTLY the kind of sodium your body needs.  Your body wants any sodium cation - like the kind in sodium chloride or sodium iodide (iodized salt) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).  If you were to consume sodium without the chloride, as you imply you should, your mouth would catch fire!!!

The only thing that is partially correct in your post is the idea that pure sodium is alkaline.  In actuality, pure sodium *mixed with water* gives an alkaline solution.  You would *not* want to drink this solution as it would give you burns.

Susicue is absolutely correct.

And to the OP and whoever is getting scared because of this, relax. Yes, chlorine (Cl2) can be bad for you, but the 'chlorine' in table salt, and most likely in splenda, is a chlorine ion (Cl-). It's the same thing with sodium, potassium, and calcium. If you even TOUCH those elements in their natural state, it would be very dangerous. Yet the IONS of these minerals are very important to our bodies.