# Is there any conceivable way to separate Splenda & sugar that have been mixed together? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850 "2011-05-05T16:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850/61 "2011-05-20T15:42:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But “poisonous elements can combine into non-poisonous compounds” isn’t high-school level chemistry. That’s something that I’d expect my nieces, with single-digit ages, to know. This seems true. Even if people don’t know about sodium metal’s reactivity, they surely know how dangerous chlorine gas is, and yet salt is perfectly safe to eat. (well, depending on which health nut you ask…) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850/62 "2011-05-20T16:15:36Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > This seems true. Even if people don’t know about sodium metal’s reactivity, they surely know how dangerous chlorine gas is, and yet salt is perfectly safe to eat. (well, depending on which health nut you ask…) The folks we’re discussing don’t know that table salt is sodium chloride though. Clearly you’ve missed out on all the Dihydrogen monoxide fun. [http://www.dhmo.org/](http://www.dhmo.org/) . I once got the majority of a board of _aquarium keepers_ going full tilt over this. That was a beautiful April day! LOL! ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850/63 "2011-05-21T03:03:18Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Mon ami, I think you’ve spent too much time in academe. It’s left you with an erroneous impression of the level of science knowledge of the average American. > > One of my sisters has a master’s in social work, and she turns to me – ME – to explain extraordinarily basic stuff, such as why water can be made of hydrogen & oxygen yet not burn. How did you explain that? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850/64 "2011-05-21T20:09:49Z")
> [@j66](#): > > How did you explain that? By giving the very basic fact that a chemical compound’s properties are not necessarily, or even usually, the same as those of its constituent elements. Oxygen & hydrogen aren’t liquid at room temperature, after all. Not in my rooms, anyway. I don’t know how cold y’all keep your hosues. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850/65 "2011-05-21T20:23:23Z")
One grain at a time, a powerful microscope, and… years? ---
**Author:** ![Odaran09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Odaran09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odaran09)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850/66 "2011-05-21T20:41:51Z")
I have a different way of looking at the problem and yes I understand that the OP has Type 2 diabetes. (I also know that the mixture in question has since been thrown away) Instead of trying to seperate the two, whay not try cutting the mixed solution into a pure bag of Splenda. Depending on the quantity, it may take a while. I would not think a cup of the sugar/Splenda thoroughly mixed in 5 lbs of Splenda would dilute the concentration of sugar to the point of not impacting blood sugar. But I am neither a diabetic or a risk taker. Unless it was something like a 10lb bag of Splenda, I also would have thrown it away or just used it for guest cooking and see if they noticed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-conceivable-way-to-separate-splenda-sugar-that-have-been-mixed-together/580850.md?page=3)