Allulose vs Sucralose: The Complete Comparison
Sucralose has been the default zero-calorie sweetener since the late 1990s. Allulose represents a fundamentally different approach. Let's compare them.
What They Are
Sucralose is made by chemically modifying sugar — three hydroxyl groups are replaced with chlorine atoms. It's 600x sweeter than sugar and the body cannot break it down.
Allulose is a naturally occurring rare sugar found in figs and raisins. It's 70% as sweet as sugar and is excreted unchanged by the body.
Taste
Sucralose: Generally clean but can have an artificial lingering sweetness and a slightly chemical aftertaste at higher concentrations.
Allulose: Sugar-like taste that builds and fades naturally. No aftertaste.
Winner: Allulose
Cooking and Baking
Sucralose: Doesn't brown or caramelize. May produce harmful chlorinated compounds at high temperatures (above 250°F). Baked goods often taste "off."
Allulose: Browns beautifully, caramelizes perfectly, retains moisture. Safe at all cooking temperatures.
Winner: Allulose — by a huge margin
Safety Concerns
Sucralose controversies:
- May alter gut microbiome (2018 study)
- Associated with glucose intolerance in some studies
- Thermal decomposition produces chloropropanols
- Sucralose-6-acetate found to be genotoxic in 2023 lab studies
- Environmentally persistent in waterways
Allulose safety:
- GRAS since 2014
- No gut microbiome disruption documented
- No genotoxicity concerns
- Over a decade of safe use in Japan
- Naturally biodegradable
Winner: Allulose — cleaner safety profile
Side-by-Side
| Factor | Sucralose | Allulose |
|--------|----------|----------|
| Taste | Good | Excellent |
| Baking | Poor | Excellent |
| Safety | Controversial | Clean |
| Cost | Low | Moderate |
| Natural | No | Yes |
| Metabolic benefits | None | Promising |
The Verdict
Allulose wins in every category except cost and current availability. For anyone using Splenda, switching to allulose provides better taste, vastly better cooking performance, and peace of mind on safety. The modest cost increase is a worthwhile investment.