I am often asked by patients “What sweeteners are the safest for me to use?” With the dizzying array of sweeteners available on the market today, that’s a great question. Here’s my take on the subject.
Let’s start with one the older sweeteners, Sweet N Low (pink packet). This is an artificial sweetener that contains saccharin. To me it is sweet, but has a rather bitter after taste. Saccharin was originally shown to be a carcinogen (cancer causing agent). Later research showed that it wasn’t , and then more research shows that, in fact, it is. Most diet sodas from soda machines in restaurants are sweetened with saccharin. Personally, I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.
Next is Equal (blue packet), which contains Nutrasweet. Nutrasweet is a brand name containing a chemical that is in the aspartame family. Aspartame has been shown through exhaustive research to be a neuro-excitotoxin. In plain English, large enough quantities of aspartame chemicals will literally cause nerve cells to be over-excited to the point of death. Long term aspartame consumption has been linked to numerous neurological degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzhemier’s disease. Verdict: throw it out!
Following next is Splenda (yellow packet), a brand which contains a sweetener called sucralose. Sucralose is a naturally occurring sugar, so you would think that side-effects would be less dangerous. Due to being relatively new on the scene, however, there has not been an incredible amount of research done on long-term effects of sucralose consumption. The verdict is still out on this one.
Next on the list is good old sugar (white packet). While there is exhaustive research on all the health problems associated with excess sugar consumption (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, etc.), I am convinced that you are much better off consuming the 10-20 calories per packet (that can be easily burned off with a few minutes of brisk walking) than putting some of these others poisons in your body. While we should all work to keep our refined sugar intake as low as possible, I think this is the best choice for you and your families’ long-term health.
Thanks for sharing Dr. Erich
Do not wait until you are in pain to come see us. Use chiropractic as preventative maintenance. Using the latest technology, Dr. Loving’s unique health approach combines the proven Impulse, ArthroStim, and VibraCussor instruments that help his patients get well with literally no twisting or popping of their spine. Call today to make an appointment 772-219-3313