AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question Is the sugar substitute, "Splenda" safe and free of harmful side effects?
What is the best , safest, most beneficial sugar substitute for Senior
citizens?
Answer Hi Willy,
In the US, Sucralose (Splenda) is recognized by the FDA as a safe sugar substitute. It like aspartame, saccharine and acelsulfame potassium can be legally sold as sugar substitutes. All other sweeteners can only be sold as supplements and are not found as ingredients in our foods.
As with all ingredients, there are potential for individual reaction. But on a general basis, those ingredients deemed by FDA to be safe have been found to have no harmful side effects.
My general assessment is to use all sugar substitutes in moderation. I have found that blue (aspartame) tends to work well in cold foods (ice tea, cold desserts, etc) whereas the pink packets (saccharin) do better in hot foods. Amazingly when you mix the two sweeteners you get a better flavor profile and you are able to use less of both.
As all of the above sweeteners are approved for usage, I can not say which one is most beneficial for Senior citizens. I would base it upon taste preference keeping in mind that moderation is the key.
