Just a lil fact about Splenda:

For that reason I use either a small teaspoon of unrefined sugar or honey. Artificial sweeteners upset my tummy as well :embarassed:

Cane sugar OR Setvia for me!

I use either sugar or stevia.

Did you read the history on Splenda? They were trying to formulate a new pesticide (hence the chlorine, which is toxic). I'd rather be fat than consume POISON.

Splenda just tastes gross....that right there is enough for me to pass.

honey is an excellent alternative as well

stevia or agave nectar. NO refined sugar or artificial junk for me.

I don't use splenda but I've heard of alot of people who do. I prefer to use real cane sugar, but I figure post this so it gets the word out for those who are unaware of the facts behind splenda.

Splenda is a natural sugar because its made from sugar, right? Wrong! Splenda, also known as sucralose is indeed made from sugar. But, the sugar is replaced with chlorine molecules making it taste sweeter than sugar. Your body doesnt recognize chlorine so it doesnt metabolize it, hence the no calorie claim! Studies done on animals show a 40% reduction of the thymus gland as well as swelling of the liver and kidneys!

Actually this isn't accurate.

Splenda is made from sugar. The three hydroxyl groups (oxygen and hydrogen) on the sucrose compound are replaced with chloride ions, which are electrolytes found naturally in the body.

Dosing for these experiments are generally not physiologically relevant and thus far there are too few conclusive studies to show this sweetener as being harmful at levels that are able to be consumed on a daily basis.

if all I ate was a brick of splenda every day, exclusively, I'd probably get an enlarged liver too.

Lucky I only put a packet in my tea once a week or so....:noway:

I don't use splenda but I've heard of alot of people who do. I prefer to use real cane sugar, but I figure post this so it gets the word out for those who are unaware of the facts behind splenda.

Splenda is a natural sugar because its made from sugar, right? Wrong! Splenda, also known as sucralose is indeed made from sugar. But, the sugar is replaced with chlorine molecules making it taste sweeter than sugar. Your body doesnt recognize chlorine so it doesnt metabolize it, hence the no calorie claim! Studies done on animals show a 40% reduction of the thymus gland as well as swelling of the liver and kidneys!

Actually this isn't accurate.

Splenda is made from sugar. The three hydroxyl groups (oxygen and hydrogen) on the sucrose compound are replaced with chloride ions, which are electrolytes found naturally in the body.

Dosing for these experiments are generally not physiologically relevant and thus far there are too few conclusive studies to show this sweetener as being harmful at levels that are able to be consumed on a daily basis.

Exactly. Those studies were also done on rats, and literally ALL they ate was massive amounts of Splenda. I guarantee you, feed those rats any large quantity of sugar or splenda or salt or anything-- and their liver/ kidneys will malfunction.Their bodies simply can't process all of it quick enough. Furthermore, the anatomy of a rat is totally different than a humans-- you cannot extrapolate findings from that study to human physiology.

Bottom line, Splenda is a synthetic food product. If you are fine with eating synthetic foods, then by all means, use Splenda. If you are not OK with it, use pure sugar or no sweetener at all. There are so many different people eating different things on these boards and there is no one path. I avoid all fake foods but if one packet of Splenda in a cup of coffee gets you through the day, then go for it. You aren't hurting me any.

It is nearly impossible to find accurate and UNBIASED information on any fake sweetener on the web, no matter how much I see it copied and pasted straight from Google and presented as fact on MFP. Educate yourself and make a decision about what you ingest that YOU feel comfortable with. If that includes eating Splenda, then so be it!

for those who want to stay away from artificial sweeteners beware. They asre starting to put them in a lot of non diet food. I avoid all artifial sugar as I think it is bad for you as well as the fact that it gives me nasty migraines. Any way things like cereal, popscicles, and you name it have both sugar and sucralose. so read the labels and be careful! I had to find out the hard way. oh Cheap Jello too.

Just wondering if there are any studies to back this up? If there are then perhaps you should post the links, giving random info that doesn't necessarily have back-up isn't the best idea. Opinions are respected, but if you're claiming this as fact, please let us know how you know this.

Not to be a Negative Nancy, I just think it is important to have facts before people start sending out blanket statements like "splenda is injuring your liver and kidneys."

I love you songbyrd

AWWWWWWE hehe :smooched:

this was a good thread. Things to note.

1.) Chlorine is different than Chloride. If you are going to repeat something you read, its best to get the compound right

2.) Guess what else has chloride ions in it? Almost every piece of food on the planet. It's called salt.

Sodium Chloride NaCl

They don't say...watch out for all that Chloride in your diet either. It's the sodium that causes the problems.

3.) If you are concerned about the chlorine levels in Splenda

a) Do not , I repeat do NOT, prepare your morning coffee in a swimming pool

b) Under no circumstances are you to subsitute 1 tablespoon of Clorox in lieu of your CoffeeMate

4.) If you injest Splenda while your child gets an immunization shot, your hot tub repairman will develop autism.

Sodium

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

i use splenda daily and i'm still alive! 1/2 to one packet gives me all the sweetness i need in tea or coffee.