Say no to artificial sweeteners

[toomuchbaloney]

http://news.discovery.com/human/health/artificial-sweeteners-may-boost-blood-sugar-140917.htm

"Artificial sweeteners were extensively introduced into our diets with the intention of reducing caloric intake and normalizing blood glucose levels without compromising the human 'sweet tooth,'" the researchers wrote in their study. "Our findings suggest that [artificial sweeteners] may have directly contributed to enhancing the exact epidemic that they themselves were intended to fight."

Our manufactured "foods" are poisoning and killing us.

[Emergent, RN]

Amen, and Amen!

[duskyjewel]

I've thought for a long time that we were going to find out those things would have serious health consequences. Just read about their manufacturing processes, that alone should be enough to scare people off.

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

Equal isn't the problem. Overconsumption of just about anything is the problem.

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

Also, it's easy as a non diabetic to say no to artificial sweeteners, but for a diabetic that simply isn't a viable option. We like coffee, tea, and an occasional soda too! If we say no to artificial sweeteners that leaves us with just water. I don't know many people who only ever drink water and nothing else ever. It isn't realistic.

[duskyjewel]

What about natural no calorie sweeteners like stevia?

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

Aspartame is horrible. It gives me a migraine.....the few times I have drank a diet soda.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

What about natural no calorie sweeteners like stevia?

I read the original study on a different site. The three mentioned in the study were saccharine, aspartame, and sucralose. I was a bit surprised at the sucralose. I too get migraines from aspartame. I thought the info about the role of gut microbiota in processing these and contributing to insulin resistance was very interesting.

I get major soda cravings... I've pretty much cut them from my diet. But every once in a while, I need a soda! I try to buy those only made with sugar, though. I'm hoping Stevia and the other "naturals" come out in the clear; I use those with no issue and will miss them!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

What about natural no calorie sweeteners like stevia?

Stevia is not very good. I had a good friend who wasn't diabetic and pushed stevia and agava at me constantly. A year or so ago she developed Type 2 diabetes. It took her about a month of only being able to drink water or use stevia or agave for her to give in and drink the occasional diet Dr pepper and put equal into her coffee. She apologized for pushing me to switch or cut out sweeteners. Again, if one is not able to drink actual sugar, ones perspective changes. Yes, they aren't the best for you if you drink them non stop, but nothing is good for you if you are gluttonous about it.

[SeanRN68]

I've probably consumed a metric ton of aspartame since I was a kid, just in diet sodas alone. It wasn't until I got to nursing school that I heard anything about stroke risk. Since then I've switched to sucralose because it's cheaper than stevia. I wish I knew how people were able to drink unsweetened tea!

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

This study is not conclusive, it just points to more research being needed. Keep in mind that what happens in mice does not automatically transfer to humans, that the human portion of the study was based on self reported/survey information, and that the human volunteers who were given saccharin were given the equivalent of 42 twelve ounce sodas per day for a person weighing 150lb.

[duskyjewel]

I've probably consumed a metric ton of aspartame since I was a kid, just in diet sodas alone. It wasn't until I got to nursing school that I heard anything about stroke risk. Since then I've switched to sucralose because it's cheaper than stevia. I wish I knew how people were able to drink unsweetened tea!

Why would a child drink diet soda?