Nutrition Information

Translate this page into:
Spanish TranslationFrench TranslationGerman translationItalian translationPortuguese translationArabic translationJapanese translationKorean translationChinese translationRussian translation

The Toxic Truth About Artificial Sweeteners


The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any nutrients so when you consume too much you crowd out room for healthier foods. In fact, it is estimated that on average, Americans consume over 200 pounds of refined sugar annually. On the other side of the coin you have artificial sweeteners which are getting more negative press as adverse health effects begin to emerge.

What's the big deal? Well, decades ago it was found that some artificial sweeteners may cause cancer and were taken out of products and off the shelves. Next, enter the next latest and greatest. The FDA said it was the recommended alternative and put it in all sugar free products. It wasn't very long before women in particular started having negative side effects as a result of ingesting it in their usual products. Later it was discovered that due to a chemical reaction in the body, it can act as a neurotoxin (one that affects the brain and nervous system). It is now speculated to mimic symptoms of Alzheimers, MS, Parkinsons and a host of other neurological diseases. While it hasn't been taken off the market, there is yet another contender.

It's claim to fame is that it is a healthy alternative to other artificial sweeteners because it is made from sugar. Yes, it is manufactured from sugar molecules but in order for it to be converted, labs have to use a process whereby they chlorinate it. Hello, I said chlorinate! We know chlorine is a known carcinogen and shouldn't be consumed in any amount. Since it has only been on the market for a short time, there is no way of knowing whether it will cause harmful side effects. If history is any indication, I wouldn't be so quick to be the guinea pig for such a study. I'll admit, it is confusing even for those of us in the health profession. There is so much conflicting information being bombarded on us all the time that it is just too difficult to keep up on all the latest information.

What about sugar alcohol? Sugar alcohol usually ends in "tol" on labels. These can be an acceptable alternative in very small amounts as they do not affect blood sugar as much as the real thing, but too much can cause gastric distress, bloating, cramps and diarrhea. You will find sugar alcohol in many of the low carb candies and chocolates on the market as well as products made for diabetics. This is one time when portion size really needs to be adhered to as not paying attention could cause some not so pleasant side effects. Your best bet is to minimize refined sugar rather than substitute it with anything artificial.

Health tip: Try using fruit juice or Stevia to sweeten things instead. In fact, applesauce is a great substitute for sugar and oil in baked goods.

Corie Goodson is a health educator and speaker, freelance writer and author of the book Tween Kwisine: A Road To Better Health. For more information log onto: http://www.happydogpublications.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Department of Defense

First Lady Lauds DOD's New Nutrition Campaign
Department of Defense
10, 2012 – The Defense Department's new obesity and nutrition awareness campaign sets a powerful example for the rest of the nation, First Lady Michelle Obama said yesterday. First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to airmen in a dining facility on Little ...
US military meals redux: More fruit and vegetables, less fatLos Angeles Times
Military food getting nutrition upgradeCBS News
Hold the mystery meat: Military bases to get first nutrition standards upgrade ...Washington Post
Politico (blog) -StandardNet
all 344 news articles »


Nutrition tip: Eating for a healthy heart
Lakenewsonline.com
By Anita Marlay The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that diseases of the heart remain the No. 1 cause of mortality in the United States, causing 600000 deaths a year. Heart protective eating habits can help to lower your risk of ...
Helping your heartfwdailynews.com

all 4 news articles »


Cambridge News

Healthy Chocolates Make a Lovely Valentine
Patch.com
Nutrition author explains which chocolates are richest in anti-oxidants; fruit and nut gifts also help keep valentines' hearts healthy so they can love you longer. By Pam DeFiglio and Christopher Brinckerhoff Chocolate flavors are incredibly complex ...
Perryman Nutrition Column: Go Ahead, Chocoholics, a Little Chocolate is Good ...Colorado State University News (press release)

all 21 news articles »


Boston Globe

LETTER: 'No cuts to Elder Nutrition Program'
Fall River Herald News
Deval Patrick has proposed a 24 percent cut in the Elder Nutrition Program that not only provides lifesaving sustenance to the elderly, but also a lifeline through daily contact with the caring volunteer that delivers the meal.
Patrick's budget would cut senior mealsBoston Globe

all 3 news articles »


TIME

Walmart Unveils 'Great For You' Icon
CSPnet.com
Items with the "Great For You" icon must meet rigorous nutrition criteria informed by the latest nutrition science and authoritative guidance from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of ...
How Good Is Walmart's 'Great For You' Nutrition Labeling?TIME
Walmart Knows What's Good for YouTriple Pundit
Walmart's New Healthy Labels: Great for You, or Great for Them?brandchannel.com
DailyFinance -Co.Exist
all 7 news articles »


Globe and Mail

Walmart to Label Healthy Foods
New York Times
As part of its promise last year to improve the nutritional quality of the food it sells, Walmart said on Tuesday that it had devised standards to determine what is healthy and would label the foods that meet those standards.
Should shoppers trust Walmart's 'Great for You' nutrition labels?Globe and Mail
Walmart 'Great for You' Healthy Labels: Nutrition Experts Say 'Devil in the ...ABC News
Walmart joins stores labeling healthier food selectionsBoston Herald
Sacramento Bee -FoodNavigator-USA.com -The White House (blog)
all 409 news articles »


NorthJersey.com

Coming soon: Nutrition labels for health insurance
Washington Post (blog)
Think of them as nutrition facts for a health insurance plan that outline a health plan's deductible, out-of-pocket limits and costs for visits to the emergency room or primary care doctor. What you see above is one part of a four-page document that ...
Obama: Health plan briefs must be consumer-friendlyUSA TODAY
Summaries to spell out health insurance coverage, copaysChicago Tribune
More Understandable Health Insurance Info Is On the WayEveryday Health

all 253 news articles »


Boston.com

First lady talks nutrition in Florida
MiamiHerald.com
AP HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Michelle Obama is assuring kids and parents that hamburgers and chicken nuggets aren't completely off-limits as she chats about healthy eating and exercise during a town hall meeting in Florida. The first lady took part in a WebMD ...
First lady announces expansion of military nutrition program on Arkansas visitArkansas News
UPDATED: First Lady Michelle Obama and Top Chefs put on cooking show in DallasPegasus News
Michelle Obama marks 'Let's Move' milestone with arugula, 'Interlude Dance' (+ ...Christian Science Monitor
Radio Iowa -PBS NewsHour
all 815 news articles »


Nutritional Medicine for Adults Workshop Series at Rush University Medical Center
Newswise (press release)
Newswise — CHICAGO — Rush University Medical Center is sponsoring a Nutritional Medicine workshop March 15 to 16, 2012, that features internationally-renowned faculty who are leaders in research in nutritional medicine. The workshop is part of a ...

and more »


OUR Center's Empty Bowls fundraiser highlights nutrition
Longmont Daily Times-Call
This year's event also is shining a spotlight on nutrition. Last week, at a sunny table at Crackpots in Longmont, Jean Youngman painted a plate modeled after the US Department of Agriculture's new "Choose My Plate" dietary guidelines that first lady ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006