Reasons for concern and basic cautions on Splenda and other articificial
sweetners. Includes resource links and information on Stevia.
Copyright 2005 Richard Keir
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal standards once a product
is approved as a food additive. Despite supposedly tracking adverse reactions,
the reality has been different at the FDA. Aspartame is a case in point. Apparent
collusion, distorted research reports, lack of funding for independent research,
questionable practices in tracking adverse reactions and reporting them. It's
a pretty ugly sounding story. It's been said that Aspartame is a contract
on humanity. Here's one source you might find puts you off Aspartame for good:
- "Reported Aspartame
Toxicity Effects".
Are the estimates (in the report above) of the real number of toxic reactions
accurate? I'm no epidemiologist but what struck me was the large number of
serious toxic reactions reported by pilots. My conclusion -- I won't use the
stuff. And there are suggestions that the offshoot - Neotame - may be even
worse.
Everyone pretty much knows the kinds of problems that have been reported with
cyclamates and Saccharin. Weirdly - perhaps bad tracking? - the actual dangers
still seem unclear after many years of use. However, as I read it, they seem
to be substantially less toxic than some more recent artificial sweeteners.
Splenda is the latest and greatest. Reportedly manufactured from sugar by
substituting 3 chlorine atoms for 3 hydroxyl groups, some claim that the end
product is not what it should be. Apparently if it were made from sugar then
when you dissolve it in water (hydrolyze), it ought to produce chlorinated
glucose which is a known toxin. Instead it produces chlorinated monosaccharides.
Splenda, or sucralose, is a chlorocarbon. Chlorocarbons have an illustrious
history, being known for causing organ, reproductive and genetic damage. Whether
sucralose (Splenda) is as safe as the manufacturer claims (which is pretty
much what manufacturers always claim) remains to be seen. Here is another
reference worth taking a look at: -
"Secret Dangers of Splenda" .
Andrew Weil, MD has some pertinent - and more moderate comments on Aspartame
and Splenda here: - "Aspartame:
Can a Little Bit Hurt". He suggests using the "precautionary" principle
- which basically says if there are questions about the safety of a product,
don't use it.
At this point, I think it's my head that's spinning. I'm uncertain whether
Splenda is safe, reasonably safe, slightly risky or seriously risky. When
I looked at the manufacturer's site and a couple other sites that were all
enthused about Splenda, I didn't see any answers to the points the critics
are making. Mostly it's all lightness, sweetness and the miracle of modern
science.
Like you I've seen some miracles of modern science turn into nightmares when
the testing wasn't adequate, when the results were fudged, when coverups went
on. So questions exist about all the artificial sweeteners. Splenda may be
less dangerous than Aspartame (which I sure wouldn't recommend to anyone).
Long-term and independent studies are lacking. And here's the real kicker:
***** From Consumers' Research Magazine "There is no clear-cut
evidence that sugar substitutes are useful in weight reduction. On the contrary,
there is some evidence that these substances may stimulate appetite."
Now that just tears it. Risk your health using one of these chemicals and
then end up eating more because it stimulates your appetite. Terrific.
So what alternatives are there? Surprisingly there are quite a few. One interesting
alternative is a South American plant called Stevia. Apparently once considered
a potential threat to the sugar industry, it seems to have been deep-sixed
early in the twentieth century. It has been used as a sweetener for centuries
by South American natives. In the U.S., it seems (somehow) to have been kept
from being available as an "additive" and the FDA has said not enough studies
have been done. Yet it's widely used by diabetics and in countries such as
Japan and Brazil. Stevia is available at health stores as a supplement (though
without any indication that it could be used as a sweetener). It's a fascinating
story which you can read here: http://www.stevia.net/ - The Stevia Story
More information on alternative sweeteners is in our article: -
"Healthier Alternatives to Artificial Sweeteners."
Our health is challenged on all sides these days. New chemicals, new additives,
genetically engineered foods, highly processed foods, empty calories, stress
and pollution all pose threats to our bodies. I've come to the conclusion
that the fewer highly processed, chemically enhanced, questionably assessed,
factory created products we ingest, the better off we will probably be.
Our bodies evolved as a part of the natural world and though we are changing
the world radically (which is only natural, it is what people do after all),
our bodies do not evolve and adapt at the rate technology changes. And for
scientific, political and economic reasons, the quality and thoroughness of
evaluations done on newly created products don't match up to our industrial
creativity.
Finally, balancing the need to lose weight (or maintain an optimum weight)
against potential risks creates difficult choices. It's up to you to make
the best choice you can for your specific situation -- just remember, that
old saw still holds - Let the buyer beware.
RESOURCE BOX: www.Carb.Werkz.org is
an informational site providing recipes, articles, news and diet resources.
Since many recipes are designed to use Splenda, please take a look at http://www.Carb.Werkz.org/healthier-sweeteners.php
and http://www.Carb.Werkz.org/how-to-use-splenda.php
for additional information.
Note From Buildingbodies Personal Training: If you would like to purchase Stevia Online, I refer my clients to Bodybuilding.com for online purchases of supplements because they have great service and prices.