Sweeteners???

[SHIBOLETHDUDE]

I have heard so many bad things about non-sugar sweeteners... does anybody have any information on which non-sugar sweeteners are best for diabetics?

Is drinking diet soda ok? My wife has been buying stuff with Splenda. As soon as I was diagnosed I quit drinking regular soda pop (Dr. Pepper:biggrin: ) which is my one true vice. I don't really like diet pop, so I drink a lot less of it. One can usually satisfies my pop craving.

Any info on which sweeteners are best would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!:hello:

[DonnieD]

It's natural to be cynical of artificial sweetener industry .... they haven't had a great track record ..... I believe that the studies on Splenda have been encouraging (safe so far) ...... my approach is to use in moderation, and verify ..... keep on top of the latest information, bring it up with my nutritionist/doctor periodically.

As far as diet soda .... watch the caffeine that comes along with it .... and also, it's got a tendency to drive hunger sensations.

[DeusXM]

Pretty much all artificial sweeteners are safe, with the possible exception of saccharine which isn't really used anymore.

One thing you should be aware of is that bulk sweeteners (AKA sugar alcohols) can still affect your blood sugar. However, these aren't used in soft drinks - they're used more in toothpaste, gum and 'diabetic' sweets.

Be aware that if you also have PKA, you shouldn't eat anything with aspartame in it.

[kgm0612]

I use artificial sweetener on a daily basis. I prefer Equal, but will use Splenda when that's the only one available. I do find that it effects my blood sugar a bit, especially in the morning when I have it in my coffee.

Karen

[Jaclyn]

Diet Dr Pepper is great! I drink it everyday. It taste just like regular D.P.

[rzrbks]

Be aware that if you also have PKA, you shouldn't eat anything with aspartame in it.

Parakart Association?

Portland Karting Association

Percieved Kinkiness Awareness

Pratul K. Agarwal

Professional Karate Association

[DeusXM]

Ooops, sorry, PKU.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylketonuria

[rzrbks]

Thank you.

[SHIBOLETHDUDE]

Thanks for the PKU definition. I have found myself reading some of the posts on here and going "what the heck are they talking about". I am sure I will learn the lingo eventually.

Also... thanks for all the information on sweeteners. I feel a little more at ease. Wonderful news that I can still have my Dr. Pepper (even if it is diet)

Wes:rock:

[jared]

I learn something new everyday. I never heard of Phenylketonuria
Until today. Thanks for the enlightenment

[Keezheekoni]

PKU is one of the first tests they do on newborn babies. You know the test where they lance the baby's foot and fill in the five circles on the paper? That used to be just for PKU...now that test does a lot more as well, but it's still mainly for PKU.

[pam]

I was an Aspartame junkie. First had it back in the late 70's when Crystal Light first came out and had been using it up until 2 years ago, when I discovered Splenda.

I never had a single side effect from Aspartame, but find some products with Splenda have a bad aftertaste, particularly Mt. Olive pickle relish. I'd rather have the real stuff with 2 grams of sugar in an entire tablespoon (I only have a teaspoon anyway).

Supposedly the Wal-Mart equivalent of Splenda is just as safe and made from the same ingredients with the same process, only cheaper.

[Stuboy]

you could also try the new range of drinks... Zero, they do a Dr Pepper Zero too which is what i drink... doesn't seem to affect my bs...

I use canderelle sweeteners in my tea.

[SHIBOLETHDUDE]

I must say that Diabetes is a WONDERUL MOTIVATION... My wife tried for years to get me to drink diet soda pop... but I wouldn't listen to her...:ridinghor . Now that I have been diagnosed with type 2, I am all motivated to lose weight, eat right and YES... DRINK DIET POP.

I really like Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Mountain Dew. I hate coke products... and believe it or not... I have even gotten to where I can enjoy a Diet Coke (but it has to be on ice... the colder the better)

So... as sad as the news is that I was diagnosed with diabetes, it has really been a good thing for me. In the last 2 weeks I have already lost 8Lbs due to increased exercise and watching my diet. So... Not everything is bad :D

Wes

[Keezheekoni]

Glad to hear that you've lost some weight and are drinking diet sodas now. :) Good on you! :D I really like the Diet Coke made with Splenda. I really don't like the taste of aspartame. However, Diet Dr. Pepper, IMHO tastes better than regular Dr. Pepper... go figure. :rolleyes:

[notme]

I rarely use artificial sweetner. I like soda with Splenda the best. Aspartame when used in anything HOT gives me a raging headache. I discovered this when I was making a sugar free hot apple cider drink. I usually look for products with Splenda.

[SHIBOLETHDUDE]

A freind of mine who is not a diabetic, had some really bad reactions to the sweetner in Diet Coke (i am not sure which one that is). She started getting horrible migraine headaches and some strange tremors in her hands when ever she would drink Diet Coke. She spent a couple of months journaling her food and beverage intake to find out exactly what it was that was causing these symptoms and finally narrowed it down to Diet Coke (which killed her because she loved Diet Coke). The same sweetner was also found in sugar free gum.

She quit the Diet Coke and now she is free of those symptoms. I am not sure if it is sorbitol or equal that is in Coke... I am not a huge Coke fan anyway.

My dietician said that Splenda seems to be edging up as the most popular artificial sweetner. I like it. It is really strange that before my diagnosis, wild horses could drag me to a diet pop... now I think I prefer it. Weird!

Wes

[darksheep]

I never "liked" diet drinks till I was dx'd. That said, I have converted. Love IBC diet root beer!

[heyitsme]

I am truly addicted to diet beverages and have been for a year or so now, I was just diagnosed with type 2. A lot of so called nutrition sites on the web like to say that splenda and other sweeteners cause the same blood sugar problems as regular sugar because the body still recognizes them as being sweet.

I don't think I really believe them, but I figure a place like this is perfect for debunking... since people here take their BS levels throughout the day. So, whats the consensus? Non-sugar sweeteners, do they affect blood sugar like regular sugar?

[poodlebone]

I am truly addicted to diet beverages and have been for a year or so now, I was just diagnosed with type 2. A lot of so called nutrition sites on the web like to say that splenda and other sweeteners cause the same blood sugar problems as regular sugar because the body still recognizes them as being sweet.

I don't think I really believe them, but I figure a place like this is perfect for debunking... since people here take their BS levels throughout the day. So, whats the consensus? Non-sugar sweeteners, do they affect blood sugar like regular sugar?

I have heard that but I seriously doubt it. The explanation I read was that when you drink something sweet, even with an artificial sweetener, your body thinks it's sugar and releases insulin. That doesn't even make sense if you're Type 1, since there is no insulin to release. I have cut back on diet drinks but I used to drink several bottles of Diet Dr Pepper or Diet Coke a day with no problems.

If you really want to find out, drink several diet sodas or diet drinks and check your BG hourly. And remember, even if it does go up there's a million other reasons why it might have happened.

[Jennie]

I find Splenda icky, I'd rather not eat/drink something at all than something with Splenda. Aspartame is fine in cold foods, like icecream; but sometimes room temperature foods with it taste funny to me too. Do I just have something psychosomatic, or do other people find Splenda distinctly differently flavored than sugar?

[heyitsme]

Its certainly different from sugar (its not sugar... no matter what they tell you). But I find it way less offensive than the other sweeteners.

[Cyborg]

I use equal and splenda in my coffee all the time. They don't affect my bg.

[dcoy]

The Truth About Aspartame...:ridinghor
Aspartame is NOT a natural substance!
Aspartame is NOT a Diet Enhancement product!
Aspartame is NOT safe - for ANYONE!
Aspartame is NOT a food "additive"
Aspartame is an UNREGULATED and UNSAFE DRUG! (It was originally slated to be a peptic ulcer drug!)
Aspartame in liquids turns to FORMALDEHYDE above freezing!
Aspartame is even worse for DIABETICS!
Aspartame poisoning is cumulative (it adds up!)
Aspartame byproducts get stored in your FAT!
Aspartame has 92 "Official" Side Effects (the worst is DEATH!)
Aspartame MIMICS a wide range of problems
Aspartame side effects are USUALLY MISDIAGNOSED!
Aspartame is unfit for human consumption!
Aspartame's approval by the FDA is a SHAMELESS tragedy!
Aspartame's approval for use in EVERYTHING is far worse!
Who are the culprits? FDA, Searle, Monsanto, NutraSweet and more!
The ONLY "CURE" is total exclusion from the diet!

Commercial site Questionable information



Splenda is no better...

Commercial site Questionable information


A better alternative is a plant based sweetener called Stevia.

From a South American plant called Stevia, this herb has an abundance of positive effects. The whole leaf contains numerous phytonutrients and trace minerals and is much sweeter than sugar with out negative effects. It can sweeten with no calories, no carbohydrates, no tooth decay and is diabetic safe. Stevia nourishes the pancreas and does not raise blood glucose levels, making it not only safe for diabetics but also beneficial.


http://www.dorway.com/betsent.txt

[DeusXM]

Oh please. This is a load of ****. I'm sorry but I've yet to see a single comprehensive study that has successfully proved Aspartame to be dangerous. In fact I've yet to see a single website that didn't have loads of flashing animated gifs and was hocking merchandise that says aspartame is bad.

No-one's ever said aspartame was 'natural'. So what? Doesn't mean it's dangerous. There are only two problems with aspartame - allergic reactions and PKU.

A significant number of people are allergic to aspartame - the allergic reaction usually results in headaches. But of course, that's evidence of it causing brain tumours apparently.

The other issue is PKU, which is a genetic condition where you can't produce phenylanaline. This is a chemical present in aspartame, and so people with PKU can't safely have aspartame because it causes a dangerous build-up of a compound they can't process - a bit like giving an untreated diabetic glucose, if you like.

Seriously, have a look at your source. Mercola is definitely NOT a reputable source of information. Have you seen the size of their store? Have you seen their ludicrously alarmist **** on their front page?

[Jennie]

I've never tried stevia, and see no reason to think it's better because it's natural; however, I'm curious as to what people think of it as a sweetener. Does anyone here use it?

[poodlebone]

I've never tried stevia, and see no reason to think it's better because it's natural; however, I'm curious as to what people think of it as a sweetener. Does anyone here use it?

I've tried it twice, and both times had to spit out the drink it was in. I'll take aspartame over any other sweetener every time.

[jjordie]

I posted this on another thread and as the subject of Splenda is being discussed thought I would copy it here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Saw this item about Splenda. I notice in several postings members are saying they use it on cereals etc.
Personally I try to avoid it if I can.


Splenda is as bad for you as aspartame in spite of the fact they tell you it is 'made from real sugar'.
I saw somewhere on line that there is a court case going on about false claims! I used it like snow on raspberries
and strawberries - lovely and sweet - until I realised it was the cause of many headaches and dizziness.

I have stopped using it altogether now.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

As many people are saying they think it is ok I have used this sweetener
again, but only sparingly.

[rzrbks]

DeusXM

Oh please. This is a load of ****.

Deus, have you patented your ****-o-meter yet? If so, I'd be very willing to help in the distribution and sales end of the process.

If not, please hurry, apparently there is a great # of people that need one in their possession-------yesterday.

[dcoy]

I've tried it twice, and both times had to spit out the drink it was in. I'll take aspartame over any other sweetener every time.

What brand and what type did you try? Too much Stevia will be bitter. There are several types of Stevia: powder, liquid concentrate, for baking. There are several brands as well.

So far, I have found the "Now" brand tastes the best and their individual packets are measured just right. For a cup of coffee, I usually use 1/2 to a whole packet depending on the size of the cup/mug.

It is not as sweet as aspartame or sucralose, but the trade-off for a sweetener that won't harm you is worth it...at least to me.

[dcoy]

Seriously, have a look at your source. Mercola is definitely NOT a reputable source of information. Have you seen the size of their store? Have you seen their ludicrously alarmist **** on their front page?


First of all, Dr. Mercola's website started out providing information regarding health issues that the mainstream media and the AMA wouldn't dare publish for fear of losing bribe $$$$ from their major contributors, i.e. pharmaceutical giants, sugar giants, tobacco, etc. to name a few. He only started selling products as the demand for healthy and safe alternatives increased.

Did you ever stop to ask yourself why people are getting sicker and sicker as more new and improved products are coming on the market. Where are all these new diseases coming from? Big business is alot of smoke and mirrors. Many of them are even getting on the healthy "organic" bandwagon (Wolves in sheep's clothing). Why? They'd otherwise lose money because people are starting to question and change their purchasing habits. In this day and age, you'd better do your homework, because blind faith (leaving it to the "experts" to tell you what to do) will get you killed. "For the love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV)

There are many websites out there that will warn you about Aspartame and Sucralose, as well as many other harmful substances, such as flouride. I chose to use Mercola links because he prints articles from other sources and then adds his own comments. Below is a link to a website from a man who spent his own money and hundreds of hours of research to provide people like us with free information. It's there for the taking, you just have to READ IT. This man eventually died from the affects of these substances and his daughter now carries the torch to warn others. Check it out:

http://www.dorway.com/indexnew.htm (http://www.dorway.com/indexnew.htm)

Oh please. This is a load of ****. I'm sorry but I've yet to see a single comprehensive study that has successfully proved Aspartame to be dangerous. In fact I've yet to see a single website that didn't have loads of flashing animated gifs and was hocking merchandise that says aspartame is bad....

Here's a link to almost 40 other links (most without "flashing animated gifs" and "hocking merchandise") warning about Aspartame. If you are really seeking to know the truth, get off your lazy butt and do some research!

http://www.dorway.com/asprlink.html (http://www.dorway.com/asprlink.html)

In the meantime, be careful about what you spew out here - You may get others killed because they listened to what you had to say about something you know very little about. "Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?" (Luke 6:39)

[DeusXM]

Firstly, I'll have to say that I'm instantly prejudiced against anyone who uses the 5000-year-old writings of a load of desert people as justification for anything.

Secondly, whilst yes, it is perfectly good and natural to question 'big business', if you're going to extend this level of paranoia fairly then you also have to accept that whilst big business might have an interest in maintaining your habits, there are also individuals who have an interest in changing them. Again, for financial gain.

Or did the extensive bookshop on dorway pass you by?

Here's a link to almost 40 other links (most without "flashing animated gifs" and "hocking merchandise") warning about Aspartame. If you are really seeking to know the truth, get off your lazy butt and do some research!

Thank you, I shall. Here you go:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4447
http://www.msfocus.org/publications/pub_articles_aspart.html

So there's three major organisations supporting aspartame. I suppose they're in the pay of Nutrasweet though.

And here's some studies for you:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/265559_soda05.html
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press_room/press_release/1472.html
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1999/699_sugar.html

There have been over 600 studies into aspartame and the only ones that suggest negative results are generally inconclusive. There also has been no study carried out (to the best of my knowledge) that has demonstrated an increased risk of problems from aspartame in humans. Until such a study is conducted and can be concluded as conclusive proof, I will for the meantime continue to ignore both the advice of the 'big evil conglomorates' and the 'brave anti-aspartame heroes' and instead look at my own personal experience - which so far has yet to demonstrate to me the perils or otherwise of aspartame. I would suggest that all these alleged cases of 'aspartame disease' are clear signs of PKU.

I want to know why NO anti-aspartame website makes mention of PKU, which is a documented medical condition that causes fatal reactions to aspartame. But of course, identifying that the majority of aspartame problems could probably be attributed to an underlying genetic condition would probably mean a bit of a nose dive in profits to those people, wouldn't it.

[dcoy]

Firstly, I'll have to say that I'm instantly prejudiced against anyone who uses the 5000-year-old writings of a load of desert people as justification for anything..

I have not used scripture to justify anything, I used it to emphasize a truth about "blind leaders," "the love of money" and "wolves in sheep's clothing." But that's a whole different subject, and I'm not going there with this one, regardless of your obvious ignorance of Biblical history.

...if you're going to extend this level of paranoia fairly then you also have to accept that whilst big business might have an interest in maintaining your habits, there are also individuals who have an interest in changing them. Again, for financial gain. ..

It's not "paranoia" it's called "awareness." What's the point? My point of contention with you is that, on the one hand, you make misleading statements like:

Pretty much all artificial sweeteners are safe..

and then on the other, you state:

There also has been no study carried out (to the best of my knowledge)that has demonstrated an increased risk of problems from aspartame in humans. Until such a study is conducted and can be concluded as conclusive proof, I will for the meantime continue to ignore both the advice of the 'big evil conglomorates' and the 'brave anti-aspartame heroes' and instead look at my own personal experience - which so far has yet to demonstrate to me the perils or otherwise of aspartame...

You said it yourself, you have no "conclusive proof" either way. So why lead others here (in this message board) down the aspartame path stating your own "personal experience" as your final authority for the SAFETY of anything? Just because you could get around touching a hot stove without getting burned, that doesn't make a hot stove SAFE!

Time is a prover, come back to us in about 10 years sonny, and we'll see where you stand...or lay.

For the others that are reading this post, I only suggest that you research both sides of the artificial sweetener issue and then draw your own conclusions. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowedge..." (Heb. 4:6)

[vegan4health]

Personally, I can't get past the bright blue bible-thumping....:puke:

[DeusXM]

I used it to emphasize a truth about "blind leaders," "the love of money" and "wolves in sheep's clothing."

Then kindly apply similar standards to those who are against aspartame, as well as those who are for it. You seem perfectly happy to use these lines in reference to big companies with vested interests in maintaining aspartame but seem rather unwilling to suspect anti-aspartame campaigners have ulteriror motives.

You said it yourself, you have no "conclusive proof" either way. So why lead others here (in this message board) down the aspartame path stating your own "personal experience" as your final authority for the SAFETY of anything? Just because you could get around touching a hot stove without getting burned, that doesn't make a hot stove SAFE!

How do you prove a negative though? Simple, you can't. It's a philosophical and scientific impossiblity. You're right, I can't say aspartame is 100% safe. Then again, until someone points to conclusive proof that it isn't, I'm prepared to consider it safe. Given that over 600 studies have been carried out and not a single one has demonstrated aspartame to be conclusively dangerous to humans, I think my assumptions are well-founded.

Time is a prover, come back to us in about 10 years sonny, and we'll see where you stand...or lay.

Given that the last 10 years of consuming aspartame haven't appeared to cause any damage, I'll take that wager. Again though, please answer my point about anti-aspartame campaigners and PKU. I simply don't understand why people who hate a substance so much aren't making more of the fact there's a genuine genetic condition that means aspartame causes all the symptoms they claim it causes in people.

[dcoy]

You seem perfectly happy to use these lines in reference to big companies with vested interests in maintaining aspartame but seem rather [U]unwilling to suspect anti-aspartame campaigners have ulteriror motives.

I do suspect both sides of an issue which is why I try to research and read as much as I can in order to discern what to trust and when and how to draw my conclusions.

How do you prove a negative though? Simple, you can't. It's a philosophical and scientific impossiblity

A negative is proved by displaying its polarity to the positive. Polarity distinquishes the affirmative from the negative (evidenced by magnets, batteries, north/south poles, yin and yang) How does anyone know they have a negative balance in their checkbook? 'Cause there's no money there! yet checks continue to be debited to the account. Try telling your banker that your insufficient funds are a "philosophical and scientific impossibility"!

As far as your point about:

anti-aspartame campaigners and PKU. I simply don't understand why people who hate a substance so much aren't making more of the fact there's a genuine genetic condition that means aspartame causes all the symptoms they claim it causes in people

That is an ignorant blanket statement. READ! PKU is covered in articles about the dangers of aspartame, but I'm not going to do all your homework for you. Here's one link - the rest is up to you.

Commercial site Questionable information and on this page an ad "How to cure Type 2 Diabetes in 25 days!"

You're right, I can't say aspartame is 100% safe. Then again, until someone points to conclusive proof that it isn't, I'm prepared to consider it safe. Given that over 600 studies have been carried out and not a single one has demonstrated aspartame to be conclusively dangerous to humans, I think my assumptions are well-founded.


You "assume" aspartame is safe? Help yourself! I've concluded it is not; however if I am wrong, I'd rather find out down the road that I could have safely used artificial sweeteners and didn't, than to find out that I did use them and compromised my health unnecessarily...too late then!

This is all getting away from the subject at hand.... Someone asked about the safety of artificial sweeteners. You responded they were safe (based on your "personal experience"). I merely raised a flag of warning and suggested an alternative (Stevia) in order that someone else reading this thread may come to their own educated conclusion as to whether or not they want to gamble with the safety of aspartame (Nutra-Sweet) and sucralose (Splenda).

If some of you go through life deprived of "having your cake and eating it too" because I misquided you regarding the dangers of aspartame, I won't lose a minute of sleep for it. I don't think I could say the same if I tried to sway you to the opposite opinion.

[DeusXM]

I do suspect both sides of an issue which is why I try to research and read as much as I can in order to discern what to trust and when and how to draw my conclusions.

Then I respectfully suggest you use raw scientific studies for your research, instead of websites with considerable merchandise departments.

A negative is proved by displaying its polarity to the positive.

Incorrect. You cannot prove that something does not exist. There is no way of proving aspartame is 100% unless you test it on every single human being that has ever lived and will ever live. This isn't going to happen, is it? However, it is very easy to prove is aspartame is dangerous - you test it, and if you get conclusive results, then you have your proof. Once again, in over 600 tests, no such conclusive results have been produced. Why is this? Surely if aspartame was as dangerous as you've proclaimed (or at least, linked to sites that have proclaimed), something would have come up in at least one of those tests?

That is an ignorant blanket statement. READ! PKU is covered in articles about the dangers of aspartame, but I'm not going to do all your homework for you. Here's one link - the rest is up to you.

Judging by the amount of work you put into finding that link (congrats on using a 'T2 cure' site, remember what I said about merchandising?) and presuming you probably picked what you thought was your best link, I think my work here is done.

You "assume" aspartame is safe? Help yourself! I've concluded it is not

On what scientific basis?

I merely raised a flag of warning and suggested an alternative (Stevia) in order that someone else reading this thread may come to their own educated conclusion as to whether or not they want to gamble with the safety of aspartame (Nutra-Sweet) and sucralose (Splenda).

Suggesting alternatives is fine. However, to portray using other sweeteners as a 'gamble' is intellectually dishonest. Winning 600 times in a row isn't exactly a gamble now, is it? I've read this thread, and I think it's pretty obvious I've come to my own educated conclsion. Besides, let's really put the cat amongst the pigeons now.

Where's your proof that Stevia is safe?

[dcoy]

[QUOTE=DeusXMThen I respectfully suggest you use raw scientific studies for your research, instead of websites with considerable merchandise departments.[/QUOTE]

For the purpose of making it easily understood to start off with, I provided links that spoke in laymens terms. Obviously, you haven't looked up anything yourself, because I provided a link with a host of sites providing raw data as well. But you'll spend more time and energy trying to dispute me than to actually do some research covering the opposing side of the issue.

You're not looking for answers, you're just trying to justify your position... so be it. I'm done here.

[DeusXM]

Obviously, you haven't looked up anything yourself, because I provided a link with a host of sites providing raw data as well.

No, you've yet to produce a single link to any scientific report that has conclusive evidence that aspartame causes problems in humans. Whereas I posted reports from major healthcare charities and the European Union. You posted op-ed pieces from people trying to make money. I would post the raw studies but unfortunately most of them appear to be from subscription only journal-reader services.

You're dead right I'm trying to justify my position. I've justified it by posting links to study summaries, I've raised questions as to the validity of sources campaigning against aspartame, I've raised the very important issue of why none of this sources engage with the issue of PKU and I've then asked you to support your position with the same level of integrity by presenting you with a challenge that should be fairly easy to meet if you were actually right.

You're not looking for answers, you're just trying to justify your position... so be it. I'm done here.

You like Biblical references, right?

"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5 NIV)

[Dewey]

Perhaps dcoy didn't come across right, but as someone who once threw up from drinking Diet Cokes & hearing of possible links between Aspartame to various ailments (yes, Deus, I'll look for the studies & CNN Articles on them), I tend to be very leery of Any chemical sweetener (whether it be Splenda, Aspartame, Saccharin, etc.). It's somewhat similar to pesticides/herbicides....People didn't know the harmful effects some of them had back when they began using them, but over time have found serious ailments linked to their usage.

As a matter of fact (I have the article in my purse) in 2000, they released an article/study linking pesticides to Parkinson's & other neurological diseases. I think time helps scientists uncover important data on things like Aspartame, and I for one, don't think that the possibilities of inducing chemical sweeteners in the cause of side ailments should be dismissed. Just my .02 for what it's worth.

I do however agree that dcoy may have come across a little too strong & perhaps took a wrong avenue on this.

[pam]

Did you ever check who pays for the studies against product A? Usually it's the company who owns product B.

I've been using Aspartame since it first came out in Crystal Light in the 70's and have yet to have any side effects.

When the FDA says Stevia is safe as a food additive, I'll try it and see.

I'm happy with Splenda, have never had any issues. Neither Aspartame or Splenda put a dent in my blood sugar.

Name any food in the world and there is someone, somewhere, saying it's not good for you.

The Bible references totally turned me off, to be blunt. Not all of us here believe in your Bible.

[Dewey]

Did you ever check who pays for the studies against product A? Usually it's the company who owns product B.
I like Stevia (which is natural and can be bought at any organic food store), but most of the time I use plain sugar in my drinks. It may be a personal preference thing, but as I said before, the idea that Aspartame & other sweeteners can cause ailments over time should Not be dismissed cause someone came across with their info wrong. Others may have suffered side effects (like headaches, throwing up <-- which I have), while others may not have been harmed. Too much of anything is too much...

I've been using Aspartame since it first came out in Crystal Light in the 70's and have yet to have any side effects.

When the FDA says Stevia is safe as a food additive, I'll try it and see.
I was just offering personal opinion & was trying to diffuse the argumentative turn that this thread took. I for one, think that people should be more open-minded about things, and not rely solely on the FDA to say a product is safe...after all, they've approved drugs (like Eczema creams) whose side effects include causing Lymphoma.

I'm happy with Splenda, have never had any issues. Neither Aspartame or Splenda put a dent in my blood sugar.

Name any food in the world and there is someone, somewhere, saying it's not good for you.

This is very true, but even the US comes out with one study saying things like margarine, or eggs, are good for you one day, then retract what was said the next...
It's your choice to eat the way you wish. I'm not knocking that. What I am trying to do is offer an alternative opinion on this, and as said before, was trying to diffuse an argumentative situation. This thread seems to be so controversial, it may wind up being taken down.

[dgrilli]

Deusx,

I kindly tell you that you are sadly mistaken and you know what a lot of the population tends to be Gullible!

This time being Gullible can cost you a lot of misery and to make statements such as you have made here you should apologize!

Synthetic sweeteners are on my list as poison (period.)

You would be better off using a natural substance such as pure sugar cane processed with no chemicals. In moderation or Stevia if you like it.

I mean no disrespect here to anyone!

If I could give a bit of advise and after be able to sleep at night I would say:

Stay away from High Frutctose Corn Syrup!

Stay away from Artificial Sweeteners. Give them to your Wild Rats if they are unwelcome in your abode.

If you have been using these products find a reputable way of detoxifying yourself.

[DeusXM]

Synthetic sweeteners are on my list as poison (period.)


That's funny. Natural sweeteners are on MY list as a poison. Period. Let me tell you a story.

When I was 14, I was very thin. I was also very, very tired, always thirsty and always going to the toilet.

It was then that I went to the doctors and found out a terrible thing. Despite what everyone says, it turns out that sugar is absolutely deadly, and 'Big Sugar' and the FDA were lying to us to make money. If I had carried on eating this supposedly harmless, natural product, I would have DIED!

Sugar causes frequent urination - FACT!
Sugar makes you thirsty - FACT!
Sugar turns your blood into acid - FACT!
Sugar is fatal - FACT!

Oh, but wait. What's that I hear? 'But you have diabetes! You're a reasonably common but not widely dispersed exception!' ???

EVERY single case of problems with aspartame can be either traced back to allergic reaction or PKU. This is very different from aspartame being bad. Once again, I ask this question of all those who 'know' aspartame is bad - show me a single, conclusive study that proves aspartame is bad for the general human population. If you can do that, then I might be inclined to listen, but in the meantime, I'm far more convinced that for me personally, aspartame is a **** of a lot less harmful than high GI processed cane sugar. Because there's already plenty of indisputable evidence to prove that could kill me.

[SHIBOLETHDUDE]

Wow... I haven't been on the forum for a while and this thread, which I started, has taken a deciedely hateful turn. I just started this thread to ask a simple question about alternative sweeteners. I don't know why everyone seems to be so heated about such a unimportant subject.

If you want to eat/drink sugar products... go ahead... that is your business...

If you want to eat/drink alternative sweeteners (aspertame, splenda, stevia)... have at it... that is your business.

Why does everyone think he/she knows everything. There is a large range of variation in all of our systems. What some can take others can't. So why not just share what works for you and quit harping on how what other do is POISNING THEM. That is ridiculous. If it is poisoning them... they probably wouldn't be here to be arguing with you!

Surely there must be more important things in the world to really get adamant about like- starving children in Africa, the AIDS epidemic, protecting our country from terrorists, tree hugging, recycling... ANYTHING... JUST PICK SOMETHING YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT AND JUST GET REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. Then maybe you can make a real difference in your world... for the good.

Can't we all just get along... This is usually such a fun place to spend time.

:) Wes

[Harold]

Thank You, WES!

Closing thread!