truth about artificial sweeteners

fitnhealthyccthatsme
fitnhealthyccthatsme Posts: 359 Member
edited September 28 in Food and Nutrition
So I've been hearing conflicting information about artificial sweeteners and have begun my own research. The link shown below is the truth about artificial sweeteners according to WebMD. IMHO, if they affect you negatively, then of course it makes sense not to use them. Try both ways... with & without artificial sweeteners. If your appetite is crazy out of control after using sweeteners, well then it makes sense to stop using them. If your appetite is normal and you don't have any bad side effects, well... you know.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-on-artificial-sweeteners

Replies

  • xcrystalx
    xcrystalx Posts: 19
    they are very bad for you, much healthier to just use sugar
  • Losingitin2011
    Losingitin2011 Posts: 572 Member
    they are very bad for you, much healthier to just use sugar

    Sources?
  • xcrystalx
    xcrystalx Posts: 19
    they are very bad for you, much healthier to just use sugar

    Sources?

    "The best thing to do is avoid all artificial and chemical sweetener substitutes. They have NO food value, trick the body into thinking it is eating something sweet, and they have by-products of harmful toxic side effects." - http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-sweeteners.html

    "According to the research, regular use of these artificial sweeteners can result in blood or brain cancer. This is considered one of the biggest risks of these sweeteners, so their consumption should be as limited as possible." - http://www.nutralegacy.com/blog/general-healthcare/top-10-dangers-of-artificial-sweeteners/

    "A fact no one can dispute is that the controversial sweeteners are made from chemicals, some of which are known to be not only harmful, but truly toxic." - http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/top-number-most-dangerous-artificial-sweeteners.html
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    I have always believed sweeteners to be bad for you as they aren't natural in any way, however recently i nearly bought some just to avoid the extra calories of sugar as I like my tea (with 2 sugars) so very much!! BUT, after thinking about it i'd rather just have the sugar and won't be using any sweeteners.
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    2.Is there an association between artificial sweeteners and cancer?
    Questions about artificial sweeteners and cancer arose when early studies showed that cyclamate in combination with saccharin caused bladder cancer in laboratory animals. However, results from subsequent carcinogenicity studies (studies that examine whether a substance can cause cancer) of these sweeteners have not provided clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans. Similarly, studies of other FDA-approved sweeteners have not demonstrated clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans.http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners


    In 2005, a laboratory study found more lymphomas and leukemias in rats fed very high doses of aspartame (equivalent to drinking 8 to 2,083 cans of diet soda daily) (1). However, there were some inconsistencies in the findings. For example, the number of cancer cases did not rise with increasing amounts of aspartame as would be expected. An FDA statement on this study can be found at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2006/ucm108650.htm on the Internet.

    Subsequently, NCI examined human data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study of over half a million retirees. Increasing consumption of aspartame-containing beverages was not associated with the development of lymphoma, leukemia, or brain cancer (2).http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    They say cell phones cause cancer now too
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    Aspartame, also known by its trade name Nutrasweet, was approved for use as an artificial sweetener in 1981. It is a combination of two amino acids the body digests as it does other proteins. One of the amino acids - phenylalanine - cannot be metabolized by people with a disease called phenylketonuria (PKU). This is the reason for the warning on cans of diet soda. There is at present no scientific evidence of any side effects associated with the consumption of aspartame, although there have been some anecdotal reports of headache, depression, dizziness, blurred vision, and confusion in some persons. If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to limit your intake of artificial sweeteners by consuming no more than one or two diet sodas a day.http://www.sportsdoctor.com/chg/n12.html
  • katz22
    katz22 Posts: 116 Member
    Apart from possible health risks,does anyone else find artificial sweetners taste bitter? I used to use them a lot, but they just gradually stopped tasting sweet to me.
  • kateanne27
    kateanne27 Posts: 275 Member
    they are very bad for you, much healthier to just use sugar

    Sources?

    "The best thing to do is avoid all artificial and chemical sweetener substitutes. They have NO food value, trick the body into thinking it is eating something sweet, and they have by-products of harmful toxic side effects." - http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-sweeteners.html

    "According to the research, regular use of these artificial sweeteners can result in blood or brain cancer. This is considered one of the biggest risks of these sweeteners, so their consumption should be as limited as possible." - http://www.nutralegacy.com/blog/general-healthcare/top-10-dangers-of-artificial-sweeteners/

    "A fact no one can dispute is that the controversial sweeteners are made from chemicals, some of which are known to be not only harmful, but truly toxic." - http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/top-number-most-dangerous-artificial-sweeteners.html
    \

    Ok the closest thing you give to a credible, unbiased source is the last one, and that is the least extreme quote. I get that artificial sweeteners have chemicals, but sugar isnt perfectly healthy either, the human body is a complicated thing, I think its best to avoid extremes, and do real research.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Call me crazy, but I'm more likely to go by reputable medical and science websites than blogs and articles that don't know the difference between opinion and fact.

    Here's how I look at it. Remember a few years ago when there was all the pet food recalls? I worked at a vet's office at the time, so maybe it had a bigger impact on me than it did most folks, since I was the one fielding all the phone calls about which foods were affected. Some pets sadly died from some bad food, but there was reasonably swift action taken to get that crap off the shelves.

    I'm not one to put total faith in government - or anything, really! - but I do like to think that they care a little bit more about the people (aka... voters, taxpayers!) than they do about our pets. If this stuff were proven to kill people, we'd know about it. From reputable sources, not people trying to sell their own fitness regimen or homeopathic propaganda.
  • Wendyma1
    Wendyma1 Posts: 289 Member
    So tell me something.......I love the MIO Liquid water enchancers. It states there are no sugars or carbs or caloried, but it can be very sweet. is there something in there noone is telling us about? I would hate to think there is something in there preventing me from my weight loss/health goals. Anybody have additional information?

    Thanks
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    MiO contains Sucralose, aka Splenda.

    http://www.medicinenet.com/artificial_sweeteners/page9.htm

    Personally, I like the stuff and have no problems with it. I'm sure some folks think it's poison. :wink:
  • Arizona_JR
    Arizona_JR Posts: 275
    MiO contains Sucralose, aka Splenda.

    http://www.medicinenet.com/artificial_sweeteners/page9.htm

    Personally, I like the stuff and have no problems with it. I'm sure some folks think it's poison. :wink:

    GOOD!!! Cause I just discovered them and their Sweet Tea formula, and I love it! It makes drinking water so much nicer than before! :-D
  • lalalazzz
    lalalazzz Posts: 131 Member
    Dr. Mercola just put out an excellent article about artificial sweeteners on www.mercola.com called "are you still drinking soda?" check it out.
  • Schwiggity
    Schwiggity Posts: 1,449 Member
    All or nothing mentalities make me lol.
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    I would never allow my rat to eat aspartame.
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    I read online that people can die from oxygen toxicity.. I'm totally not breathing air any more because it has oxygen in it.
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    I read online that people can die from oxygen toxicity.. I'm totally not breathing air any more because it has oxygen in it.

    I read that, too, but I also read that nosehairs filter out the oxygen, so breathing is okay as long as you don't get any air in your mouth.
  • celestedavis
    celestedavis Posts: 37 Member
    In short, all artificial sweeteners and MSG are in a category of chemicals called "Neuro toxins and Excito toxins". Essentially they cause your brain cells to become over active and die. Many people develop neuroligical symptoms from these toxic chemicals. They are dangerous to your health. Stevia is a natural product that heals your body, makes things 100 times sweeter and is not toxic. Get real stevia not truvia or nuvia which are manmade, not nature made.

    If you want the truth about a product, especially food or drugs you have to go to someone other than the manufacturers or the FDA as the FDA is in bed with most if not all the drug companies.

    Web MD is sponsored by the Lilly Company and the Meade Johnson Company. Monsanto owned Nutrasweet until 2000 and Splenda is owned by Johnson and Johnson.

    Here are some of the sponsors of Web MD: http://arep.med.harvard.edu/PGP/WebMD_DNA.html

    Watch this short video by Dr. Joseph Mercola, a world reknowned expert in health and wellness. He wrote a book on the health risks and history of artificial sweeteners.

    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/31/aspartame-update.aspx
  • mapexdrummer69
    mapexdrummer69 Posts: 445
    Yet another another thread spreading complete misinformation. Try using the search function. There have been threads that have posted clear, controlled, empirical, peer reviewed, scientific studies that show artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and those found in diet soda to be completely safe.



    I swear people just enjoy extreme alarmism. Kinda like the people that say fruit will kill you because it contains fructose.
  • celestedavis
    celestedavis Posts: 37 Member
    This is from Dr. Mercola about MIO

    Here is the ingredient list for the Mango Peach variety of MiO:

    Water, Malic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, "natural flavor," Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium, Potassium citrate, Polysorbate 60, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Potassium Sorbate (preservative).

    Basically, this is a scary mixture of TWO artificial sweeteners, THREE dyes, one preservative, and propylene glycol (PG)—a solvent that can potentially result in cell mutations and skin, liver, and kidney damage, if ingested in high enough amounts. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates propylene glycol as a moderate hazard.

    Try putting limes and lemons in your water rather than drinking these bottles of chemicals. 5 cans of soda with aspartame has been shown to cause severe neurological problems. There are also bottled drinks at health food stores that use Stevia instead of the artificial sweeteners.
  • kateanne27
    kateanne27 Posts: 275 Member
    In short, all artificial sweeteners and MSG are in a category of chemicals called "Neuro toxins and Excito toxins". Essentially they cause your brain cells to become over active and die. Many people develop neuroligical symptoms from these toxic chemicals. They are dangerous to your health. Stevia is a natural product that heals your body, makes things 100 times sweeter and is not toxic. Get real stevia not truvia or nuvia which are manmade, not nature made.


    from friends who live in asia MSG is used like table salt in japan and china, and yet dont these countries have the stereotype of having long lives and high intelligence?
    If we avoided everything potentially harmful, we would not actually live any longer, lifespans are getting longer with every generation in this country, yet we seem to see more and more of these toxins that are supposed to kill us. I am going to take care of my body and do what I can to live a long healthy life, but nothing in my power is going to guarantee that, and I am not going to let the negative possibilities make me bitter or angry about it now, I'd rather be happy and take life as it comes, stressing about it isn't good for brain cells either ;)
  • mapexdrummer69
    mapexdrummer69 Posts: 445
    Does anyone have real studies on artificial sweeteners? Or maybe just sources of peer reviewed studies of claims made by doctors such as Mercola?
  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
    I wrote a blog about artificial sweeteners a month or so ago. Feel free to read it.....

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Mickmelie
  • hjollyrn
    hjollyrn Posts: 208 Member
    They say cell phones cause cancer now too

    LOL!
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    This is from Dr. Mercola about MIO

    Here is the ingredient list for the Mango Peach variety of MiO:

    Water, Malic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, "natural flavor," Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium, Potassium citrate, Polysorbate 60, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Potassium Sorbate (preservative).

    Basically, this is a scary mixture of TWO artificial sweeteners, THREE dyes, one preservative, and propylene glycol (PG)—a solvent that can potentially result in cell mutations and skin, liver, and kidney damage, if ingested in high enough amounts. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates propylene glycol as a moderate hazard.

    Try putting limes and lemons in your water rather than drinking these bottles of chemicals. 5 cans of soda with aspartame has been shown to cause severe neurological problems. There are also bottled drinks at health food stores that use Stevia instead of the artificial sweeteners.

    Lemon juice!?! Lemon juice!?! You mean, like, the stuff they use in dish detergent and engine degreaser?? No way!!
  • Wendyma1
    Wendyma1 Posts: 289 Member
    Oh wow! I opened up a whole can of worms didnt I?! I'm sorry everyone. I didnt mean to cause a stir.
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