i use splenda year round and i also drink the sugar free drink mixes from walmart mainly peach tea. i have zero issues with glucose or fat loss and i get into damn good shape. i do also have a diet soda or two a day as my diet gets deep. no issues still with that either but i do the diet soda in moderation as my hunger starts to get really bad and the carbinated drinks make it go away a bit. on the other hand the carbination is probably worse than the artificial sweetners are. if it helps you hydrate better i say you are still better off to use it but that's just my opinion and i get into nasty shape and check my glucose religiously