What is the best protein powder without sucralose?

Written by Jack Schrupp and reviewed by Ella McGonagle, M.S. Nutrition

drink wholesome is the best protein powder without sucralose. It is naturally sweetened with monk fruit. Order samples to see if our sucralose-free protein powder is right for you. 

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“It has ingredients you can actually pronounce and is freaking delicious.”

-Kallie

drink wholesome is the best protein powder without sucralose

What is sucralose in protein powder?

Is sucralose in protein powder bad?

What is the best protein powder without sucralose?

What is sucralose in protein powder?

It is very common to see sucralose in protein powder. Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener. It was accidentally discovered in 1976 and popularized in the early 2000s by Splenda, the sweetener in the little yellow packet. Sucralose is unique among artificial sweeteners because it is made from real sugar. A multi-step chemical process tweaks the chemical structure of sugar, making it hundred of times sweeter and virtually calorie-free.

On paper, sucralose seems like a great alternative to sugar and a tool for weight loss. It is cheap, easy to make, and offers the sweetness that we crave, without the calories. Unfortunately, however, the benefits of sucralose are too good to be true. 

Is sucralose in protein powder bad?

Sucralose, despite its obvious benefits, is not something you want in your body.For starters, several studies have found little to no relationship between changes in body weight and the use of low-calorie sweeteners. That is, people who replace sugar with low-calorie sweeteners like sucralose lose, on average, less than two pounds. One study discovered that people who use low-calorie sweeteners actually gain weight because they indulge themselves (they eat more high-calorie foods) after having “saved calories” with their diet soda, sugar-free ice cream, etc. Another study found that using artificial sweeteners can cause sugar cravings, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. Sucralose is therefore by no means a slam dunk when it comes to weight loss.

There are other health-related reasons to avoid sucralose. For instance, researchers believe that artificial sweeteners can alter the composition of our gut microbiome and cause glucose intolerance. Glucose intolerance is an umbrella term for metabolic conditions that cause higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. It can lead to type 2 diabetes. The gut microbiome is the collection of organisms that helps you digest food, fights off harmful pathogens, and educates your immune system. When it is disturbed, it can trigger the development of a number of chronic diseases. It is therefore safe to say the sucralose should be avoided if at all possible.

What is the best sucralose-free protein powder?

Instead of using artificial sweeteners like sucralose, or stevia, which is not as natural as you might think, we sweeten our protein powders with monk fruit. Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a relative newcomer to the world of low/zero calorie sweeteners. It is a sub-tropical melon-like fruit native to Southeast Asia, and is used as a sweetener by removing the seeds and skin, crushing the fruit, and collecting the juice, which is then dried into a concentrated powder. As far as low/zero calorie sweeteners go, monk fruit is the most natural and best tasting; it actually tastes like sugar!

Given that monk fruit sweetener has only been commercially available for about a decade, its impact on, and association with, chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes has not been well documented. That said, monk fruit has been safely used in Asian cuisine for centuries and has no known side effects, even when consumed in large quantities. Moreover, small randomized trials have shown that monk fruit sweetener does not negatively impact blood sugar or insulin levels. 

So, if monk fruit is so great, then why do so few companies use it? Protein powder companies use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, and in some cases stevia, because they are far less expensive than monk fruit. Monk fruit is by far the most expensive non-caloric sweetener, which makes sense because it comes from real fruit. In case you were wondering, monk fruit gets its sweetness from non-caloric compounds called mogrosides.

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“It’s honestly the only protein power I’ve ever really liked. Not too sweet and easy on the stomach.” – Kyle

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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.