Is Dextrose in Splenda? The Truth About Bulking Agents

December 27, 2025 •

2 min read

A single-serving packet of Splenda contains a negligible number of calories, allowing it to be legally labeled "zero-calorie" in many regions. This is because the primary sweetening agent, sucralose, is calorie-free, but it is combined with other ingredients, leading many to question its exact composition, especially concerning whether dextrose is in Splenda.

Quick Summary

Splenda Original packets contain dextrose and maltodextrin, which are used as bulking agents for the intense sucralose sweetener. These fillers provide volume for easy measurement, while adding a minimal amount of carbohydrates and calories per serving.

Key Points

Yes, dextrose is in Splenda: Powdered Splenda products, including the popular yellow packets, contain dextrose as a bulking agent.
Sucralose is the main sweetener: The primary calorie-free sweetening ingredient in Splenda is sucralose, which is 600 times sweeter than sugar.
Bulking agents are necessary: Dextrose and maltodextrin are added to provide volume and texture, making the intense sucralose easier to measure and use.
Splenda is not truly calorie-free: Due to the presence of dextrose and maltodextrin, each packet contains a small, though legally negligible, number of calories.
Check the specific product: The composition can vary by product line; some may use different bulking agents like lactose, so always read the ingredient label.
Minimal impact on blood sugar: For most people, the tiny amount of dextrose has little to no effect on blood glucose levels, but it is important for diabetics to be aware.

What is Splenda made of?

To understand why dextrose is an ingredient in Splenda, one must first recognize what Splenda is. Splenda is the brand name for a line of sweetener products, the most well-known being the yellow packets containing the artificial sweetener sucralose. Sucralose is derived from sugar through a chemical process, making it significantly sweeter than table sugar but essentially calorie-free.

Because sucralose is so intensely sweet, only a minuscule amount is needed to replicate the sweetness of sugar. To make the product measurable and usable for consumers, manufacturers add other ingredients to provide volume and texture.

The role of dextrose and maltodextrin

In powdered Splenda products, dextrose and maltodextrin serve as these crucial bulking agents.

Dextrose: A simple sugar chemically identical to glucose, typically derived from corn starch. It is used to add volume to the intensely sweet sucralose. While contributing calories, the amount per packet is minimal, allowing the product to be labeled "zero-calorie" in the United States.
Maltodextrin: Another common bulking agent derived from corn, rice, or potatoes, maltodextrin adds texture and volume with a neutral taste.

Caloric content and labeling

Due to the presence of dextrose and maltodextrin, Splenda is not truly calorie-free. A single packet contains about 3.36 calories, which is below the U.S. FDA threshold of five calories per serving for a "zero-calorie" label.

How Splenda varieties differ

Ingredient composition can vary across Splenda products. Some use lactose instead of dextrose for bulk, while others may include sugar. Always check the ingredient list of the specific product.

Comparison of Dextrose, Sucralose, and Table Sugar


Feature	Dextrose (in Splenda)	Sucralose (in Splenda)	Table Sugar (Sucrose)
Sweetness	Mildly sweet	600x sweeter than sugar	Standard sweet
Calories	~3.36 kcal per 1g packet (due to fillers)	Zero calories	4.2 kcal per 1g
Source	Derived from corn starch	Chemically synthesized from sugar	Extracted from sugar cane or beets
Purpose in Splenda	Bulking agent, adds volume	Primary sweetener, provides sweetness	Not in Splenda packets
Absorption	Absorbed by the body as glucose	Minimally absorbed, mostly excreted	Absorbed by the body as glucose and fructose

Potential health considerations

The minimal amount of dextrose in a Splenda serving typically does not impact blood sugar or caloric intake significantly for most individuals. However, those with diabetes or on strict low-carb diets should be aware of these minor additions. Research into the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut microbiota and glucose metabolism is ongoing. For more information, refer to the official Splenda FAQ page.

Conclusion

Yes, dextrose is an ingredient in many powdered Splenda products, including the original packets. It functions as a bulking agent alongside maltodextrin, not the primary sweetener. These fillers are necessary because sucralose is so potent, making the product easier to measure. This explains the trace carbohydrates and calories in Splenda packets, despite their "zero-calorie" label. Understanding this is important for dietary choices, especially for those managing blood sugar or following specific diets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dextrose and maltodextrin are added to Splenda as bulking agents. Since sucralose is over 600 times sweeter than sugar, only a tiny amount is needed for sweetening. The dextrose and maltodextrin provide the volume and texture necessary to make the product easier to measure and use, similar to sugar.

According to FDA regulations in the U.S., a food product can be labeled "zero-calorie" if it contains less than five calories per serving. The small amount of dextrose and maltodextrin in a single packet results in a calorie count of approximately 3.36, which falls within this allowance.

For most individuals, the very small quantity of dextrose per packet is unlikely to have a significant impact on blood glucose levels. However, those with diabetes should be aware that it does contain a small amount of carbohydrate, and should monitor their intake, especially if consuming larger amounts.

Sucralose is the high-intensity, non-caloric artificial sweetener that provides Splenda's sweet taste. Dextrose, on the other hand, is a simple sugar (a form of glucose) that functions as a bulking agent and provides texture.

Not all Splenda brand products contain dextrose. While powdered versions, like the original packets, typically do, other formulations, such as tablets or liquid sweeteners, may use different bulking agents or fillers, such as lactose.

Dextrose is a simple sugar that is chemically identical to glucose, or blood sugar. While it is a type of sugar, it is not the same as table sugar (sucrose), which is a disaccharide composed of both glucose and fructose.

For most purposes, the minimal sugar content from dextrose in Splenda is negligible. However, if you must avoid all sources of simple sugar, it is important to be aware of the dextrose content. Other Splenda products, like the liquid versions, do not require bulking agents and may be a better option.