The Hidden Danger of Sucralose: Why Heating It Can Create Harmful By-Products
For years, sucralose has been marketed as a “healthier sugar substitute.” It’s 600 times sweeter than table sugar, has zero calories, and is used in everything from baked goods to protein powders. But recent research shows a growing concern: when sucralose is heated, it can form potentially harmful and even carcinogenic compounds.
As a company committed to clean ingredients and long-term wellness, we think families deserve transparency. Here’s what every mom, athlete, and health-conscious consumer should know.
What Is Sucralose, Really?
Sucralose starts out as regular sucrose (table sugar), but it goes through a chlorination process where three hydroxyl groups are replaced with chlorine atoms. This chemical modification prevents the body from metabolizing it — which is why it has zero calories — but it also makes the molecule unstable when exposed to high heat.
When sucralose is baked or cooked at high temperatures, it can break down.
And that’s where the problem begins.
What Happens When Sucralose Is Heated?
Multiple studies show that heating sucralose above 248°F (120°C) causes it to degrade and produce:
• Chloropropanols
Compounds linked to potential carcinogenic activity in animal studies.
• Polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons
These are similar to the by-products created when plastics or chlorinated compounds are burned — and they’re not substances you want in your body.
• Dioxin-like compounds
These can accumulate over time and may disrupt hormonal, immune, and metabolic processes.
Bottom line:
Sucralose may be safe at room temperature, but it becomes questionable when heated — especially in baking or cooking applications.
Why This Matters for Families
Moms often turn to “sugar-free” options thinking they’re making a healthy choice. But many store-bought diet snacks, protein bars, and baked goods use sucralose and are heated during production.
If your family is eating “sugar-free” brownies or protein cookies made with sucralose, those snacks may be exposing them to unnecessary chemical by-products.
At Protein Snack Shop, we believe real food should be… real.
No preservatives.
No artificial sweeteners.
No seed oils.
No hidden surprises.
That’s why we use honey to sweeten our blondies and brownies — and erythritol for our low-carb cheesecakes — both of which remain stable when heated.
Clean Ingredients Lead to Better Health
Your body was designed to metabolize whole foods, not break down chlorinated sugar molecules. Choosing snacks made with real ingredients supports:
✔ better digestion
✔ better metabolism
✔ more stable blood sugar
✔ improved energy
✔ long-term wellness
And yes… real food tastes better, too.
The Bottom Line
Sucralose is everywhere — but the risks when heated are becoming impossible to ignore. If you’re choosing snacks for your family, look for products that use natural, stable, whole-food sweeteners.
Because your family deserves treats that deliver both great taste today and better health tomorrow.