Typical dose
Used as a tabletop sweetener or in processed foo...
Oral
Oral safety: very low
About this supplement
Saccharin in its acid form (C7H5NO3S) is the original, un-neutralized chemical structure of the artificial sweetener saccharin. It is a white, crystalline powder that is approximately 300-400 times sweeter than sucrose but has a bitter or metallic aftertaste, especially at higher concentrations. Unlike its sodium or calcium salts, the acid form is poorly soluble in water. It is a non-nutritive, non-caloric sweetener that is not metabolized by the human body and is excreted unchanged in urine. Its use as a direct food additive has largely been superseded by its more soluble salts, but it remains the parent compound from which these salts are derived.
How much to take
- Typical amount
- Used as a tabletop sweetener or in processed foods/beverages at concentrations sufficient to achieve desired sweetness, typically far below 1% by weight.
- Suggested range
- An Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 5 mg/kg body weight has been established for saccharin (and its salts) by JECFA and other regulatory bodies.
Potential benefits
Benefits linked to this supplement form:
Things to watch for
Possible side effects linked to this form:
Health goals
Needs and goals this form may help with:
Other forms of Saccharin
Compare absorption and active amounts with sibling forms:
Technical details â–¼
Chemical ID (CAS)
81-07-2
Physical properties
White, crystalline solid or powder. Poor solubility in cold water (1 g in 290 mL), more soluble in hot water and in alkaline solutions. Soluble in ethanol. Melting point ~228-230°C. Intensely sweet taste with a characteristic bitter or metallic aftertaste.
How it’s made
Saccharin is produced synthetically via the Remsen-Fahlberg process, which involves the oxidation of o-toluenesulfonamide or the condensation of phthalic anhydride. The acid form is the initial product, which can then be neutralized with sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide to produce the more commonly used sodium or calcium saccharin salts.