Swapping sugar for a sweetener in your daily coffee or tea might seem like a healthy move—but it could be fueling your hunger instead of curbing it.
A new study suggests that sucralose (the popular artificial sweetener found in Splenda) may increase activity in the brain’s hunger center, the hypothalamus. Unlike real sugar, sucralose didn’t trigger the release of hormones that signal fullness. The result? Your body feels tricked—and still hungry.
“If your body expects calories from something sweet but doesn’t get them, it can alter the brain’s response and increase cravings,” explained Dr. Kathleen Alanna Page, an obesity researcher at the University of South Carolina.
Researchers had 75 participants drink a beverage containing either sucralose, sugar, or water. Brain scans and blood tests revealed that sucralose drinkers showed more hunger-related brain activity and less hormonal satisfaction. The effects were even stronger in people with obesity.
Dr. Page says this raises questions about how artificial sweeteners may influence long-term weight gain and eating behavior—even when they’re calorie-free.
Natural Alternatives That Won’t Backfire
If you’re looking to kick sugar without the side effects of artificial sweeteners, try these natural alternatives that offer flavor and better balance:
- Raw Honey – Antioxidant-rich and antimicrobial, it’s perfect in tea or drizzled on oatmeal. Use sparingly—it’s still sugar.
- Maple Syrup – A natural sweetener with minerals like zinc and manganese. Best in baking or coffee.
- Dates or Date Syrup – Naturally sweet and fiber-packed, dates are great for smoothies, baking, or sauces.
- Stevia (Pure Leaf) – Plant-derived and calorie-free, but opt for unprocessed, green-leaf versions over commercial blends.
- Monk Fruit Extract – Zero calories, naturally sweet, and doesn’t spike blood sugar—ideal for diabetics.
Ditch the artificial stuff and go natural—your body (and brain) will thank you.