Artificial Sweeteners

leighann881

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

BreakingOath

I love me some aspartame.

ncthomas09

Can't say I have good solid info but I remember hearing something about once aspartame hits a certain temp it's more likely to be cancer causing....I say who cares everything in the world is going to give me cancer somehow anyway.

Personally I like sweet n low flavor best (not sure how to spell what it's made of)....but I should probably be using truvia or splenda or something else.

Either way I say it's fine in moderation just like everything else.

terriejones

I use them, but not to extremes. Remember the saccarine(sp.) rat scare, I think it was the 70's. I still use it to sweeten my iced tea.

CoachReddy

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

NaBroski

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

CoachReddy

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

this.

eevincheezburger

There was a study that showed that it did cause brain cancer in mice.

However, the amount of sweetener given was like us eating 15 bags of sweet-n-low per day.

There have been no legitimate studies showing artificial sweeteners to cause any cancer (as related to the average within a sample of mice). Certainly there has been no documentation of this in humans.

Ciao!

smitchell78

I'm hesitant to answer on all artificial sweetners, but as far as Aspartame I cannot have anything with it. I am epileptic (not caused by Aspartame), but when I do consume a product with Aspartame I will have more seizure activity. I do not know if it causes more episodes or whether it decreases my medicines effictiveness but once I cut it out of my diet I was able to go a few years without having a seizure while being on medicine.

Take that as you want - but at least for me Aspartame is not a good idea for me. As far as the other ones go, I generally try to stay away from them as much as possible because I do not want to chance it. If you are looking to stay away from Aspartame, there are a lot of products that contain Aspartame besides Diet Sodas. For example, almost all light yogurts contain it as well as quite a few brands of chewing gum and even mints. I always check the label and it can be quite surprising to see how many products actually contain aspartame out there (even some cold medicines contain it!).

This may not be the good scientific that you are looking for, but I just figured I would throw my personal experience out there.

daphne_m

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Homeopathy ftw!

CoachReddy

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Homeopathy ftw!

it's not homeopathy. google it.

daphne_m

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Homeopathy ftw!

it's not homeopathy. google it.

It was a general dig at your own distaste for ~*~science~*~. Why would I google the evils of artificial sweeteners? People far better qualified than I have declared them safe and my own dietitian is in favour of enjoying a Diet Coke if I want a soft drink. I'm not such a narcissist that I assume my own 'research' via Google to be superior to their education and experience.

I love Cherry Coke Zero! Seriously, OP, if you want to have a soft drink and you can't afford the calories for one made with sugar then drink one flavoured with artificial sweetener. There are no dangers besides a laxative effect if you drink a dozen cans in one sitting. Don't drink a dozen cans in one sitting.

rubyrenga

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

Warchortle

Everything in large enough quantities is toxic. Most things low in dosage are not.

SideSteel

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

Because all studies are funded by the FDA in all countries?

NaBroski

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

EL-OH-EL

Truvia was developed by Coca-cola. Is Coca-cola a "good" corporation?

CoachReddy

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

Because all studies are funded by the FDA in all countries?

pretty sure coca cola is a company that exists worldwide and can thus exert significant influence wherever they want.

Eureka175

I'm hesitant to answer on all artificial sweetners, but as far as Aspartame I cannot have anything with it. I am epileptic (not caused by Aspartame), but when I do consume a product with Aspartame I will have more seizure activity. I do not know if it causes more episodes or whether it decreases my medicines effictiveness but once I cut it out of my diet I was able to go a few years without having a seizure while being on medicine.

Take that as you want - but at least for me Aspartame is not a good idea for me. As far as the other ones go, I generally try to stay away from them as much as possible because I do not want to chance it. If you are looking to stay away from Aspartame, there are a lot of products that contain Aspartame besides Diet Sodas. For example, almost all light yogurts contain it as well as quite a few brands of chewing gum and even mints. I always check the label and it can be quite surprising to see how many products actually contain aspartame out there (even some cold medicines contain it!).

This may not be the good scientific that you are looking for, but I just figured I would throw my personal experience out there.

This is interesting. There was a study a few years ago that concluded aspatame can cause seizures in kids - can't remember where I saw the study, so do not know re: amounts, etc., just found this interesting.

AllTehBeers

I love me some aspartame.

It sure is delicious.

monty619

FOR artificial sweetners... AGAINST drinking over a litre of diet coke a day or things of that nature... all things in moderation including artificial sweetners.

AllTehBeers

People probably breathe in more chemicals filling up their gas tank, cleaning their bathroom and walking through an industrialized city then there is in a can of diet coke.

rubyrenga

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

Because all studies are funded by the FDA in all countries?

What? I'm not talking about the FDA funding studies. I'm talking about what ingredients are allowed to go into foods in the U.S., and my point is that I don't blindly put my trust in the government gatekeepers of what is supposedly safe to consume.

And regarding Coca Cola, I don't think they're good. I picked it up without doing my research by reading the label in full. Now I see that it has sugar alcohol, which isn't something I want to put into my body.

The bottom line is, what is the problem with people questioning food safety, especially when there are dangerous chemicals being put in so many foods?

leighann881

Isn't truvia just as "bad" as other sweeteners (except stevia)?

NaBroski

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

Because all studies are funded by the FDA in all countries?

What? I'm not talking about the FDA funding studies. I'm talking about what ingredients are allowed to go into foods in the U.S., and my point is that I don't blindly put my trust in the government gatekeepers of what is supposedly safe to consume.

And regarding Coca Cola, I don't think they're good. I picked it up without doing my research by reading the label in full. Now I see that it has sugar alcohol, which isn't something I want to put into my body.

The bottom line is, what is the problem with people questioning food safety, especially when there are dangerous chemicals being put in so many foods?

What, specifically, are these "dangerous chemicals" you're referring to?

amonkey794

I love me some aspartame.

LOL Yup!! Though, stevia has flavored sweeteners I like

NaBroski

Isn't truvia just as "bad" as other sweeteners (except stevia)?

zillah73

I use stevia in my coffee but otherwise I don't really sweeten anything.

MouseTmom

Just about EVERYTHING has some research saying it is bad for you so I am going to enjoy my aspertame and not worry about it!

daphne_m

For or against?

I'm generally against (but seriously, I love to sit on my deck and drink a cold diet coke).

I'm good with Stevia. I haven't really done the research on all the rest. Anyone have some good solid scientific info?

if you're going to base your decision on what scientific studies have "proven" then drink your diet coke and cross your fingers.

if you trust holistic medicine that isn't funded by lobbyists, then you'd be better off dumping it.

but that's your call.

Translation: Science says they're fine. Woo-merchants fear them.

Sure, if you believe the "science" funded by wealthy corporations. The FDA lets many harmful ingredients go into the foods being sold, and to believe otherwise is beyond naive.

This is not to say that I don't have occasional diet sodas, but I definitely think aspartame is bad. I use Stevia or Truvia in my coffee.

Because all studies are funded by the FDA in all countries?

What? I'm not talking about the FDA funding studies. I'm talking about what ingredients are allowed to go into foods in the U.S., and my point is that I don't blindly put my trust in the government gatekeepers of what is supposedly safe to consume.

And regarding Coca Cola, I don't think they're good. I picked it up without doing my research by reading the label in full. Now I see that it has sugar alcohol, which isn't something I want to put into my body.

The bottom line is, what is the problem with people questioning food safety, especially when there are dangerous chemicals being put in so many foods?

Go ahead and question food safety. If you've the background and can access the studies (not Google for links), read them for yourself. The conclusions you draw from the research might be a little problematic if you aren't especially well versed in subject. Personally I don't have the higher quals and medical degree needed to second guess medical doctors and those who make a living researching the safety of these ingredients. Instead of Googling and finding out that everything in the world causes cancer I trust their judgement and enjoy a Coke Zero occasionally.

Lyadeia

I'm trying to avoid the heaps of bovine excrement that usually is flung through these threads, so I will just answer the OP's question and leave the thread. :flowerforyou:

I'm fine with artificial sweeteners as long as the dosage isn't astronomically high. Having a diet soda won't kill me unless I swallow down the wrong pipe and choke to death. Neither will that piece of cheesecake made with Splenda instead of sugar cause me to die a horrible death as though someone just made me injest pure chlorine gas.

There's too much fear mongering going on these days.

danasings

Isn't truvia just as "bad" as other sweeteners (except stevia)?

Truvia is a brand name of stevia.