Splenda Intermittent Fasting: Does It Break Your Fast?
Intermittent fasting is a popular and effective way to lose weight and gain health benefits such as improved metabolic health and gut rest. But what about Splenda, the popular artificial sweetener? Does Splenda break your fast?
Does Splenda Break Your Fast?
The short answer to this question is yes, Splenda breaks your fast. Splenda is a brand name for sucralose, an artificial sweetener. Sucralose has been found to cause an insulin response in some people, which means that it can break your fast.
The Effect of Sucralose on Fasting
Increased blood glucose levels lead to a release in insulin that will break your fast. This means that Sucralose WILL break your fast. Pssst – Yes, Splenda breaks a fast. Many fasting experts have differing opinions on using a small amount of Splenda while fasting. I believe in the minimalistic approach and don’t recommend using sucralose while fasting. In short — yes, Splenda does break a fast, and it doesn’t matter what your fasting regimen is.
Splenda is produced from sucralose, and some research suggests that sucralose can raise blood sugar levels and trigger an insulin response. While consuming sucralose alone won’t break your fast, the other ingredients in Splenda will cause both a GI and an insulin response by raising blood sugar levels.
Yes, it can add calories to your body and throw you out of the fasting state. The other ingredients in Splenda can trigger a GI or insulin response, which can break the fast and cause the body to start burning glucose instead of ketones.
Alternatives to Splenda While Fasting
If you’re looking for an alternative to Splenda while fasting, there are several options. Sucralose (Splenda): Sucralose is a calorie-free sweetener that does not spike insulin in most people. Consuming sucralose can result in alterations of gut bacteria, so it’s not recommended for long-term use.
Artificial sweeteners such as Stevia, Swerve, Aspartame, and Splenda won’t break your fast, since they don’t seem to have an effect on insulin or blood sugar levels. However, they may still affect your gut bacteria and should be used in moderation.
Conclusion: Can You Use Splenda During Intermittent Fasting?
Yes, you can use artificial sweetener during your eating window……and while outside your eating window! So long as you’re not taking in any calories, you’re in the clear.
Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are generally safe to use during intermittent fasting, but it’s important to remember that they can still trigger an insulin response and break your fast. Therefore, it’s best to limit your use of Splenda while fasting. For those looking for a healthier alternative, there are several natural, calorie-free sweeteners that won’t break your fast and won’t affect your gut bacteria.
Is it possible to consume Splenda while following an intermittent fasting plan?
Artificial sweeteners such as Stevia, Swerve, Aspartame, and Splenda will not interfere with fasting, as they do not cause an increase in insulin or blood sugar levels. However, for health reasons, one may choose not to consume them.
Can either stevia or Splenda be consumed while fasting?
Consuming stevia in moderation should not interfere with the positive effects of fasting, and will not disrupt the fast.
Does Splenda interfere with ketosis?
Splenda has one gram of sugar per serving, but if you have multiple servings the sugar can add up, which may interfere with ketosis. The key to the keto diet is avoiding added sugars.
Does Splenda cause an increase in insulin levels?
A recent study revealed that consuming Splenda or other brandname sweeteners, which contain dextrose and have a small amount of calories, 10 minutes prior to glucose intake can lead to an increased insulin response. This is because the sucralose in Splenda triggers a small insulin response.
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