sucralose is a synthetic compound that’s used in more than 4,500 products. While the molecule is made of sucrose (sugar) — three of the hydroxyl groups in the molecule have been replaced by three chlorine atoms. This is where the comparisons to DDT come in.

After all, it was developed by scientists looking for a new pesticide, and the bonds holding the carbon and chlorine atoms together are more characteristic of a chlorocarbon than a salt — and most pesticides are chlorocarbons.

Once it gets to the gut, sucralose goes largely unrecognized in the body as food — that’s why it has no calories. The majority of people don’t absorb a significant amount of Splenda in their small intestine — about 15%. Your body tries to clear unrecognizable substances by

digesting them, so it’s possible that the healthier your gastrointestinal system is, the more you’ll absorb the chlorinated molecules of Splenda.

Evidence is building about the side effects of Splenda and sucralose:

May alter glucose and insulin levelse.

May be a migraine trigger

Significantly decreases beneficial gut flora

May play a role in certain cancers, according to an animal study in 2016