Crystal Light

I believe that in moderation anything is fine, but bear in mind that the more chemicals you consume, the more effects you will have (especially if chemicals are given a chance to react with one another in the body). I do try to stay away, but I'm not heavily restrictive on this issue.

If you do a google search on any of the sweetners (I don't remember which one is in Crystal Light), you'll find lots and lots of evidence. Bear in mind that chemical sweetners are relatively new and long term effects of most of them have not been studied thoroughly enough to state definitively negative or positive effects.

There's a lot of different positions out there, but I trust this website:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/are-artificial-sweeteners-safe?page=2

'"Congress said no to the [original call for a] ban due to backlash but stated that there has to be a warning," ACSH's Kava recalls. "More recently, Congress de-listed saccharin as very high doses may cause bladder cancer in male rats -- not in female rats or anyone else," she says. According to the National Cancer Institute, there's no scientific evidence that any of the artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause cancer.'

I prefer water, but really like Crystal Light.

Basically, it all boils down to the fact that they are artificial - manufactured "products" that supposedly take the place of sugar. Many of these products have some part or ingredient to them that is toxic in nature, though not necessarily to humans (i.e. Saccharine was linked to cancer in rats, and years of research later was discovered that something unique to rat urine triggered the bladder cancer with saccharine, so the same response really shouldn't exist in humans). Aspartame was accused of similar health hazards, and now the newest one that has invaded all low-cal products is sucralose (aka Splenda). Many times there is some toxic ingredient, but the argument is that it would have to be consumed in huge quantities in order to cause damage, or that because of the process used to make the sweetener, or the way our bodies metabolize it, it's not harmful to humans. Not sure what kind of levels we're talking about, but it is a little scary when you consider how many products contain artificial sweeteners these days. The FDA does mandate all artificial sweeteners, but many times that means "healthy until proven otherwise", as opposed to the other way around.

However, for many people the biggest problem with artificial sweeteners is that they may actually cause weight GAIN, when for the most part we use them to try to lose weight. Animal studies have supported this conclusion. In our bodies, a sweet taste (artificial or otherwise) induces an insulin response, which causes blood sugar to be stored in tissues (including fat), but because blood sugar does not increase with artificial sugars, there is hypoglycemia and increased food intake the next time there is a meal. In one rat study, the rats given sweeteners steadily increased calorie intake over time, which resulted in increased body weight, and increased fat.

All that said, I still use artificial sweeteners, but try to limit my exposure. I surely don't cook with them, but you really can't completely avoid them these days. I don't buy sugar-free ice cream or other products that rely solely on AS's. I think it's more important to learn moderation and have just a little bit of the real stuff. I've had Crystal Light before, but treat it the same as the high-sugar stuff, and don't drink more than a cup.

I found "Propel" better. Not so much artificial or HF corn syrup. It comes in powder so you can add it to a reusable bottle instead of buying plastic. More benefits, too, with vitamines, no colors or additives. I can feel good about drinking it. Almost like it's an improvement on healthy water.

This isn't about artificial sweeteners, but a good substitute that I've found when water is just not appealing and you want something sweet or fruity is the unsweetened passion iced tea at starbucks. You can buy a box and make it at home, and it tastes so refreshing and fruity without any sugar or anything it's amazing! That's my fall-back! And zero calories!