The TRUTH About Artificial Sweeteners

Tell me more about this,i drink diet soda occasionally

I’m with you Joel…give me my equal and no one will get hurt! I’d actually love to hear your take on beverages in general. I know you think alcohol moderation is important (kept to a minimum on cheat days), but what do you typically drink during the week/day. WW is all about drinking water, so that has been my primary beverages during the day, with an occasional green tea in the afternoon if I need a lift. I try to keep away from soda, even diet, due to the sodium.

Thanks…Tim

I’d like to hear more on this subject! I’ve heard all sorts of things about it, such as it’s just flat out bad for you, a processed no-no, that it fools your body into thinking it’s getting a high calorie carb and when it doesn’t it messes with your fat loss ability, etc. I pretty much just drink water, but I like a little sweetener in my green tea and have been using Stevia for that, so would you include that in your info?

I always go back and forth on this one… but sugar-free hazelnut in my coffee usually wins! It’s funny how everyone THINKS artificial sweetener is soooo bad, but yet we KNOW how bad sugar really is….

Well, it’s artificial not natural. Does ones body know what to do with it?

Who’s paying for the researches? The food industry? The very companies that sells that stuff?

It’ll be very interesting to read what you have in store for us.

Yeah its all bs ppl say stuff like aww thats bad cause cancer and stuff, where did they hear it from in the first place ???

I use splenda sometimes. I read that scralse is compleatly harmless, because it ha almost the exact same composition as sucrose (sugar). This is splenda has some maldoxtrin as well. I have no clue what that is… Cananyone help?

I try to use mostly Stevia but I struggle with all the stuff out there about what is good and isn’t. It gets confusing and frustrating. I am interested to see what else you have to say.

This was the latest infor I have on artificial sweeteners. I don’t personally use them, but the doctor said it was okay for my Dad to use them for his diabetes. haven’t made up my mind yet, but maybe stevia is the “natural” way to go?

http://www.cbn.com/livingthelife/features/health/sugar_substitutes.aspx

Hey Joel, Diet Coke is my lifeline! Though I have it very occasionally…
Doesn’t regular coke have just TOO many calories?

And from what I’ve read about Aspartame online, some people cannot take it well and it gives them headaches and such, and others can process it just fine. So Diet Coke is OK for the latter sort of people.

Joel,

I’m with you. Diet Coke is my friend when I’m dieting. I have a post looking at the serious exaggerations on aspartame as well…it simply doesn’t seem to be as bad as everyone makes it out to be!

“Diet Coke” Addict Tells His Scandalous Story

Good job on getting off to such a fast start on your blog. I get quite a bit of traffic as well, but it took me about 2 years and 200 posts.

Congrats!

Rusty

i would like know more please! I know gum contains aspartame and I chew gum all the time!

I used Splenda for a few years now, pretty much dropping refined sugar all together. After reading just a few items on the internet it appeared Splenda was the LEAST harmful off all the alternatives. The only place I used it was in my morning coffee. Turns out that I really dont need the Splenda in my coffee either!…so I have dropped it all together. If there was something that I NEEDED sugar for, I would use Splenda….and diet pops scare me!

Joel,
I’m a fan of your information, but I think you are wrong in this regards.
Please note the following link to an M.D. citing 92 different negative effects attributed to Aspartame alone.

I have no personal axe to grind with you, but have tripped across such information consistently over time, thus, I don’t drink anything with artificial sweeteners in them, nor do I drink soda pop of any kind for that matter.
I have to confess cappuccinos are my downfall but I get decaffeinated and without any sugar at all.

This happened to be the first web-site I came across tonight, but I also subscribe to Dr Stephen Sinatra, and Dr David Williams eHealthNewsLetters, and believe they may cite similar findings, while I’d have to go back to research that to corroborate it.

http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html

Aspartame Side Effects

The components of aspartame can lead to a number of health problems, as you have read. Side effects can occur gradually, can be immediate, or can be acute reactions.

Aspartame Information:

Aspartame Side Effects
Aspartame Case Histories
Artifical Sweeteners
Phenylalanine
Phenylketonuria
Message Board Forum:
Think you are having an aspartame reaction? Join Dr. Hull’s aspartame message board forum and communicate with others!

Ask Dr Hull Forum
According to Lendon Smith, M.D. there is an enormous population suffering from side effects associated with aspartame, yet have no idea why drugs, supplements and herbs don’t relieve their symptoms. Then, there are users who don’t ‘appear’ to suffer immediate reactions at all. Even these individuals are susceptible to the long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol, and DKP.

Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:

Eye
blindness in one or both eyes
decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
pain in one or both eyes
decreased tears
trouble with contact lenses
bulging eyes

Ear
tinnitus – ringing or buzzing sound
severe intolerance of noise
marked hearing impairment

Neurologic
epileptic seizures
headaches, migraines and (some severe)
dizziness, unsteadiness, both
confusion, memory loss, both
severe drowsiness and sleepiness
paresthesia or numbness of the limbs
severe slurring of speech
severe hyperactivity and restless legs
atypical facial pain
severe tremors

Psychological/Psychiatric
severe depression
irritability
aggression
anxiety
personality changes
insomnia
phobias

Chest
palpitations, tachycardia
shortness of breath
recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal
nausea
diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools
abdominal pain
pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies
itching without a rash
lip and mouth reactions
hives
aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic
loss of control of diabetes
menstrual changes
marked thinning or loss of hair
marked weight loss
gradual weight gain
aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
severe PMS

Other
frequency of voiding and burning during urination
excessive thirst, fluid retention, leg swelling, and bloating
increased susceptibility to infection

Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all
death
irreversible brain damage
birth defects, including mental retardation
peptic ulcers
aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets
hyperactivity in children
severe depression
aggressive behavior
suicidal tendencies

Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-Barr
Post-Polio Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Grave’s Disease
Meniere’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
ALS
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
EMS
Hypothyroidism
Mercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillings
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
non-Hodgkins
Lymphoma
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

These are not allergies or sensitivities, but diseases and disease syndromes. Aspartame poisoning is commonly misdiagnosed because aspartame symptoms mock textbook ‘disease’ symptoms, such as Grave’s Disease.

Aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Therefore, it is typical that aspartame symptoms cannot be detected in lab tests and on x-rays. Textbook disorders and diseases may actually be a toxic load as a result of aspartame poisoning.

Ever gone to the doctor with real, physical symptoms, but he/she can’t find the cause? Well, it’s probably your diet, your environment, or both.

Aspartame is the common denominator for over 92 different health symptoms at the root of modern disease. The Aspartame Detoxification Program demonstrates the most effective way to reverse disease symptoms is removing the underlying cause – aspartame.

I drink diet pop alot…I would definetely like to know if the artificial sweeteners in it are truly dangerous

When I need a pick me up I use artificial sweeteners. It took me a long time to wheen myself off of sugar…my dad used to give me large spoonfuls in my tea. So either Hermesetas or Equal just when i feel myself dragging

Hi Joel
I was a big user of artificial sweetners,but must say since I gave up sugar my sweet cravings are definately less.I’m even into dark chocolate rather than the milk chocolate,to sweet for me now.However, I do still drink diet soda,sugar sodas make my heart race.

I agree with you, Joel! I’m very interested in the additional info you share on this. I drink about 64 oz. of water during the day, but also a Diet Coke or even two. I have Splenda in my tea whenever I drink some as well. I freely share this info with my clients and boot campers. I believe that if someone likes carbonated drinks, a good way to get that fix and save major calories is to drink the diet versions. Thanks for the post; can’t wait to see tomorrow’s!

SO… what is the difference between the artificial sweetners and the more common sugars.

I heard that some research suggested the low calorie diet foods can undermine the body’s association between sweet tastes and the calories that come with those tastes. This can lead to false hunger signals and overeating.

Since in my own anecdotal experience I recall having gotten outrageously hungry and consequently overeating by way of living off of diet foods, I gave the study some credence. Having tried it, I do find that it is easier to eat in moderation by avoiding diet foods (Zero Impact Bars, Splenda, diet root beer / cream soda, sugar free spelt cookies).

Note that I did not replace my diet treats with non diet treats I just removed them altogether and replaced them with more fruits and vegetables. That’s probably a bit of confounding variable.

Hi. I use Splenda in my protein drink if I am out of fruit to toss in and I use it in my ice tea.

Hi Joel, I use artificial sweeteners in my coffee and I too have heard that they cause cancer, but what doesn’t these days!
I don’t know if you have heard in the States that CSR have brought out a new Natural Sugar with a naturally Low Glycolic Index (GI). It works by spraying an all natural molasses extract onto raw sugar. This molasses naturally increases sugar’s resistance to digestion. By having a low GI, CSR Logician takes longer to be digested, resulting in a slower release of energy, which can help curb hunger cravings.
I’m very interested in what you have to about the new low GI sugar and the artificial sweeteners.

Yes, I use Splenda and I get crap for it b/c of the aspartame in it. Being that I have Multiple Sclerosis I receive all kinds of stories on how aspartame causes MS like symptoms. I usually tell them to go look at my MRI film and tell me how aspartame put lesions on my brain. Anyway, thank you for the info you may send.

Oh Joel, please tell me artificial sweeteners are fine to consume, oh please. I stopped drinking Hansen’s diet soda because of the health risks I have heard but I would love it if I could start drinking them again.

Joel, no I don’t use artificial sweeteners but it has nothing to do with health concerns. I quite simply loathe the taste of every single one of them. In fact it’s not just artificial sweeteners, I also dislike stevia and whatever they’re using in Vitamin Water 10. To my taste buds not only do they NOT taste like sugar but they’re not even sweet. And they all leave a nasty after-taste.