Splenda, the sucralose-based artificial sweetener marketed originally in North America, has no calories, no insulin boost, and most of all, no cravings like its sugar counterpart. Sounds too good to be true, right?

Sucralose is a synthetic compound (think modified sugar by adding chlorine atoms) and the Splenda product itself is not without side effects. Allergies to sucralose result in rashes, panic attacks, headaches, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, swelling, bladder issues, muscle aches and stomach pain. Maybe Splenda isn't so spectacular for you after all. As pointed out by Duke University researchers, it destroys good intestinal bacteria and prevents prescription drugs from being absorbed.

So, the next time you reach for Splenda or eat something that already has Splenda in it like Juicy Fruit gum, you may want to think twice.