A question about artificial sweeteners?

Question

Ok. I am not a fan of aspartame and I stopped using that an Saccharin a while back. I was told it was basically better to use honey to sweeten teas or coffee. Just use in moderation. But when Splenda broke out, I was excited! I use it from time to time in my dishes and drinks to keep from using sugar.

Now, there are disagreements. Some say Splenda is the best artificial sweetener to use. Especially for diabetics and those who want to lose or watch their weight. But then I heard some say the body reads Splenda as sugar, it processes the sweetener wrong, and it winds up making you gain weight. Just like their claims on saccharin and aspartame. One reason I don't drink diet soda, is because it did just that to my body. I try not to indulge in soda that much anyway. But on occasion I will have one that isn't artificially sweetened. SOMEONE HELP! Is Spenda indeed processed the same way as aspartame and saccharin? I have searched and asked my nurse. I don't know what to trust.

Answer 1

I am not an authority, but be advised that the other makers of sweetners, and sugar do not want you to use Splenda. They would like to stop all potential users of this new product and/or all other sweetners.

I have used all of the products. I worried also on occassions but tried to remain educated about what may harm myself and others. My doctors found nothing to be concerned about and I have have had 3 doctors in 60 yrs. They all were very interested in their clients, worked daily to maintain their knowledge of medicine and especially for people like myself who were boderline diabetic. I 've been to Joslin Clinic in Boston, and numerous other agencies over the years and no one has put one document out that convinces my health professionals that medical research has been used to show that these substances are harmful. I have used the substances and went from 250+ lbs. to 208lbs. in a year and maintained that weight for another year.

I donot have any serious problems and am in good medical health. I would not hesitate to use any of the artificial sweetners and feel confident they are not going to harm me.
You could be eating spinach as we've all recently experienced and thought it was good for us and still got deathly sick.

Relax but keep your desire to be on top of the medical issues.
rw

Answer 2

A sugar substitute, or artificial sweetener, is a food additive which attempts to duplicate the effect of sugar or corn syrup in taste, but often with less food energy. Most artificial sweeteners have after tastes that many find unpleasant.

An important class of sugar substitutes are known as high intensity sweeteners. These are compounds where sweetness is many times that of sucrose; accordingly, much less sweetener is required and energy contribution often negligible. The sensation of sweetness caused by these compounds (the "sweetness profile") is sometimes notably different from sucrose, so they are used in complex mixtures that achieve the most natural sweet sensation.

If the sucrose (or other sugar) replaced has contributed to the texture of the product, then a bulking agent is often also needed. This may be seen in soft drinks such as soda labeled as "diet" or "light" which contain artificial sweeteners and often have notably different mouthfeel; or in table sugar replacements which mix maltodextrins with an intense sweetener to achieve satisfactory texture sensation.

In the United States, five artificially derived sugar substitutes have been approved for use. They are saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, neotame and acesulfame potassium. These compounds are all high intensity sweeteners. There is ongoing controversy whether artificial sweeteners are health risks. Some studies show that they cause disease in laboratory rats.

Answer 3

They are not as bad to certain people. My family is a family of migraine sufferers and artificial sweetners play havoc with us. There are also studies that show the chemical break down of these sweeteners are very bad for everyone. Heck, one ingrediant is found in paint thinners. So you decide.

Answer 4

If you are truely concerned about your health I would totally avoid anything artificial. Go with raw unprocessed sugars if needed or honey. Also Maple Syrup, grade B is a great natrual sweetener.

Answer 5

I would agree with those people who say Splenda is best, especially for diabetics. It does not contain aspertane, in fact it has no calories or any other stuff in it, it just simply makes the stuff you use it in much sweeter. Those other articial sweeterners have calories.

Answer 6

sorry, dont know if this will answer your question (i didnt read it all) but i read somewhere once that there is something in artificial sweetner that when it enters you body, it makes your body not determine which foods have calories and which dont. Not sure if this is true, just thought i might add it.

Answer 7

dr's are still out on that one as some says they are dangerous and others say they are fine so listen to yur own gut feeling about that one.