What's the best artificial sweetener?

[npmommie]

.where are YOUR links?

from Behavioral Neuroscience
http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bne-feb08-swithers.pdf

 

[Free4Life11]

from Behavioral Neuroscience
http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bne-feb08-swithers.pdf

Thanks. Some nice light reading for Saturday afternoon...haha. Interesting though!

 

[npmommie]

Thanks. Some nice light reading for Saturday afternoon...haha. Interesting though!

LOL

 

[JessicaR]

This week I caught one of Dr Oz's shows and he was talking positively about Stevia. I keep hearing about it more and more often but I haven't tried it myself. My husband uses splenda. I cant stand any artificial sweeteners and avoid them.

 

[bicker]

I think the whole anti-artificial ingrendients movement has become a bit of a religion. It's ridiculous IMHO; perhaps even a bit of neo-Ludditism evoked by concern about how technological our society is becoming, and how some folks as a result are feeling like they're being left behind.

I'd be more concerned about putting saturated fat and trans-fatty acids into my body than artificial ingredients as a category.

 

[bumbershoot]

Real sugar is one of the unsafe options IMHO, even in smaller quantities. There is more research showing how unsafe sugar is (in how eating too much contributes to diabetes and obesity), than any alternative.

I wonder if the studies were in humans, were true studies (not just looking back at records), and if they differentiated what "sugar" truly meant. Were they just talking about simple carbs; things found in foods to sweeten them? Or were they actually looking at sugar-sugar?

Because we know very very well from my husband's reaction to things like corn syrup vs sugar that there is a HUGE difference. His blood sugar spikes like crazy if he has something with c.s. or HFCS in it...while he can eat a baked good I make, with normal sugar (and normal amounts of sugar for the recipe), without a problem (especially if I add cinnamon into the recipe).

But if you look at casual writing about sugars and the problems, they do NOT differentiate. The "sugar" used to sweeten Coke (actually HFCS) is seen as the same that comes out of the C&H bag, and it's just...NOT.

I meant to ask, has anyone tried Truvia? I think it's pretty new and is made from stevia.

Hubby liked Truvia. Then he figured out an amount of sugar he could use in his coffee without doing anything negative to his blood sugar, and he stopped using it. It's expensive!

And my issue with stevia is that it comes from an herb, and...despite my natural-living lifestyle, I got burned, seriously, from some herbal tinctures and I try to be very very careful with things derived from herbs...


Anyway, stevia/truvia, or just lowering the crystal-sugar (as opposed to HFCS etc) in your diet should help.

On the other hand, I had a patient who did the SugarBusters diet, followed it absolutely faithfully, and lost a huge amount of weight, relatively easily, in a rather short amount of time. She looked SO good (not unhealthy like you'll often see with people who lose quickly). And she lost her addiction to simple sugars, too.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Some links:
http://sweetpoison.com/
http://www.splendainfo.com/dangers-of-splend
http://www.thepeopleschemist.com/view_learning.php?learning_id=14

IMO use Agave, or real sugar, in moderation. Splenda/sucralose is the worst. It really bothers me that it is in sooooo many things now, especially kids snacks. It is hyped as being "made from real sugar". But, all it is is a single sugar molecule infused with or surrounded by chlorine (chlorocarbon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorocarbon)

All I know is that if I have a single sip of something with it in it, I'm floored with a migraine, a common side effect. I never had reactions to any other artificial sweeteners, in the past, and only have a couple of other allergies, so I'm not overly sensitive.

Nutrisweet....I don't know what to think. All I know is that a couple of medical people I know call it Nutricancer, though I don't know that there is research to support their opinions.



Plus, as someone mentioned, over time, studies are showing that the body's confused response to fake sugars is causing more problems than it appears to solve in the short term.

 

[rie'smom]

Real sugar is not bad. Corn syrup is. The obesity rates in the country started getting out of control when companies began substituting high fructose corn syrup for sugar.
1 teaspoon of sugar is only 15 calories.

Drink water instead of soda which contains 10-15 teaspoons of sugar. Also do not drink diet drinks. They usually contain lots of sodium which can lead to fluid retention and a temporary weight gain-not something you want when trying to lose weight.

Moderation in eating real food is the key to successful weight loss.

 

[clgwli]

I think the whole anti-artificial ingrendients movement has become a bit of a religion. It's ridiculous IMHO; perhaps even a bit of neo-Ludditism evoked by concern about how technological our society is becoming, and how some folks as a result are feeling like they're being left behind.

I'd be more concerned about putting saturated fat and trans-fatty acids into my body than artificial ingredients as a category.

And I will respectfully disagree with you. I gained weight while using aspartame instead of sugar. My BP went up as well as my cholesterol and triglycerides.

As soon as I switched back to real sugar and even HFCS I lost 20 pounds in a short amount of time.

Artificial is not good for everyone at the very least. I don't listen to the hype, I just listen to my body.

 

[bicker]

I respect your decision but don't really see your experiment as anything more than a personal anecdote. I'm sure you know that there are many people who will relay precisely the opposite experience.

Regardless, the subject of this thread is, "What's the best artificial sweetener?" Discussions about the merits of natural sugar are essentially distractions and not on-topic to the OP's question.

 

[Christine]

Question about Agave:

I bought some and tried to use it to sweeten my tea. No matter how I much I used, I could not get it as sweet as I do with 2 tsp. of sugar. I know they say it is XXX amount sweeter than sugar, but I don't find that to be the case. What am I doing wrong?

 

[bicker]

Not necessarily anything. Assertions of equivalency are unsubstantiable. Often, they're put forward as such in an attempt to defend a contention of a more objective equivalency, such as with respect to calories.

I've found that such assertions with regard to Sucralose (Splenda) are generally on-target. With Saccharine (Sweet & Low), what they say is the sweetness of two teaspoons of sugar is actually quite a bit sweeter tasting than two teaspoons of sugar. With Aspartame (Nutrasweet), I find that what they assert is the sweetness of two teaspoons of sugar is actually a bit less sweet. YMMV of course.

One thing that I find paradoxical, which might help with some of your usage, is that a little salt seems to make sweetener have more sweetening power.

 

[rie'smom]

I respect your decision but don't really see your experiment as anything more than a personal anecdote. I'm sure you know that there are many people who will relay precisely the opposite experience.

Regardless, the subject of this thread is, "What's the best artificial sweetener?" Discussions about the merits of natural sugar are essentially distractions and not on-topic to the OP's question.

There is no best artificial sweetener.

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/aspartame.html

WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE and the MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION F.D.A. ISSUING FOR COLLUSION WITH MONSANTO

An article written by Nancy Markle (1120197)
Here is a portion of the article. If anyone wants to read more, click on the link above:

In the case of systemic lupus, we are finding it has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially among Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers. Also, with methanol toxicity, victims usually drink three to four 12 oz. cans of them per day, some even more. In the cases of systemic lupus, which is triggered by ASPARTAME, the victim usually does not know that the ASPARTAME is the culprit. The victim continues its use, aggravating the lupus to such a degree that sometimes it becomes life-threatening. When we get people off the ASPARTAME, those with systemic lupus usually become asymptomatic. Unfortunately, we cannot reverse this disease.

The sugar industry is suing the makers of sucralose (Splenda) because their claims that it is made from sugar. It is made from chlorinating sugar. Experts believe that 15% of Splenda remains in the body. They are not sure what % of chlorine remains but some does. However, I don't think any of us want chlorine residue build up in our tissues and organs.

http://splendasickness.blogspot.com/2006/03/long-list-of-symptoms.html

 

[bicker]

There is no best artificial sweetener.

There's always a best among options; either that or all are equally as good. Actually, more precisely, as my earlier messages pointed out, there may be aspects where one artificial sweetener is better than another, while for other aspects, it may be the other way around. In the spirit of the OP's question, I would like to hear what other people think about which artificial sweeteners are better for which aspects and which artificial sweeteners are better for other aspects.

 

[LisaR]

It has been funny reading through this thread and seeing the complete opposite opinions. One camp feels sugar is best and artificial sweeteners will kill you and the other camp has the total opposite opinion.

I will present a third option that I haven't seen mentioned. Reduce your consumption of any type of sweetener down to almost nothing.

We have become addicted to sweet things; whether in the form of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Quit drinking soda and sweetened teas. Stop with the sugary cereal, donuts, and pop tarts for breakfast. They feed your craving for sugar.

Bake without adding sugar or at least cut the amount called for in half. Once your taste buds adjust (and they will) cut the sugar in half. I make a couple batches of muffins a week. For the most part they are sweetened with bananas, unsweetened applesauce or other fruit. For the occasional batch that needs a little extra sweetness, I never add more than 1 Tbs. to the entire dozen of muffins. I just got done with a batch of carrot muffins. The original recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar! I have made these for months with just 1 Tbs. of sugar and we all love them. But if you are used to really sweet things, you would hate them.

Lose the sweet tooth and you won't have to worry about what the best sweetener in. You will use such a little amount that it will not make a difference what type of sweetener it is. JMO and I know it isn't a popular one.

 

[rie'smom]

There's always a best among options; either that or all are equally as good. Actually, more precisely, as my earlier messages pointed out, there may be aspects where one artificial sweetener is better than another, while for other aspects, it may be the other way around. In the spirit of the OP's question, I would like to hear what other people think about which artificial sweeteners are better for which aspects and which artificial sweeteners are better for other aspects.

or equally bad

 

[clgwli]

I respect your decision but don't really see your experiment as anything more than a personal anecdote. I'm sure you know that there are many people who will relay precisely the opposite experience.

Regardless, the subject of this thread is, "What's the best artificial sweetener?" Discussions about the merits of natural sugar are essentially distractions and not on-topic to the OP's question.

Experiment? I have to say that is one of the most condescending posts I've read directed at myself here. I can tell you countless people who had a whole lot of physical issues while using aspartame. Some were digestive issues and others dealt with migrains. I can guarantee the cutting out of all artificial sweeteners was not an experiment but guided by doctors and other health professionals. Your comment about diabetics just floored me as well. Yes sugar can be bad but many have more issues with starches than just plain old table sugar.

The OP wanted to ask about sweeteners for losing weight. It has been showed in many studies that what I experiences was not a fluke. That artificial sweeteners actually create obesity.

I am also a fan of agave as well as stevia. I don't like the taste quite as much but they have worked well in baking and ice cream making.

To the OP I seriously would consider using the two I mentioned. While not artificial they are pretty good. Otherwise just use sugar in moderation.

As someone who was very obese and now well within a good range for weight I can say that replacing sugar with artificial chemicals is not necessary. I found it far easier to lose weight while using natural products than with anything else. I'm not saying organic just more whole grains and items like that. No more boxed dinners here ever now and we are all well within a healthy range

 

[bicker]

I have to say that is one of the most condescending posts I've read directed at myself here.

There is nothing more condescending than obstructing a discussion because you object to the very concept of the discussion taking place.

 

[clgwli]

There is nothing more condescending than obstructing a discussion because you object to the very concept of the discussion taking place.

Wow. I wasn't obstructing, just giving solid advise on how to lose weight. Just because you are a lover of chemicals like that doesn't mean you are right and have the best advise either when it comes to weight loss.

I share what I know worked for me. Yes some do fine with those chemicals but many do not. Many cannot lose weight while using them which is why I shared. Some are able to but not everyone.

I suggested to the OP to try things out and not just stick with caloric intake due to sugars. Every person has differences in how they metabolize foods so suggesting 0 calorie artificial sweeteners as the end all be all is dangerous.

I highly suggest you think about that before you say I am deterring this thread. I am relaying my doctor's advice given to me based on research she did at the time. And if it helps another person lose weight then I hope it can help.

The question was losing weight due to sugars. I answered it as did many others. Just because we do not agree with you does not mean we are any more wrong about it than you might be. I am willing to admit some can do fine on aspertame but are you able to agree that many cannot digest it well?

 

[bicker]

Sure. I fear though that people who really have significant perspectives on the pros and cons of the various artificial sweeteners won't contribute due to how abusive the responses from the anti-artificial people have been.