Nutrition Articles

I have good news and bad news about artificial sweeteners.

Which do you want first?

Ok, the bad news. We'll save the best for last.

Here's the bad news: You know those famous brand name artificial sweeteners you use - Asparatame, NutraSweet, Sucralose, Fructose and High Fructose Corn Syrup? You know the popular ones. They are at every Starbucks in the world. Better known as Sweet N' Low, Equal, and Splenda.

I call them 'The Big 3.'

Well, they are Excitotoxins which are neurotoxic chemical additives (it even sounds nasty) that are proven to directly harm nerve cells, over-exciting them to the point of cell death. Over time, studies are now showing brain tumors, seizures, and problems with the central nervous system as a result of artificial sweeteners.

Yikes! Just when you thought it was safe to go to Starbucks.

Here's the good news:

There is a virtually unknown natural sweetener on the market now called Stevia. Stevia is a natural plant extract, NOT a neurotoxic chemical or artificial sweetener. It tastes no different than 'The Big 3' - Sweet N' Low, Equal and Splenda - in my opinion. I have been using Stevia for about a year now. I use to be a big Equal fan even going as far as putting it on my cereal growing up.

So why aren't more manufacturers using Stevia instead of Asparatame, NutraSweet, Sucralose, Fructose and High Fructose Corn Syrup? Could it be that Stevia costs too much?

Nope.

Don?t they know artificial sweeteners health risks?

Sure they do.

It's because Stevia cannot be patented, so it does not have the profit potential of artificial sweeteners. And because it's much safer, it represents a threat to the multi-billion-dollar artificial sweetener industry.

Disturbed yet?

Stevia can only be marketed as a "dietary supplement." It cannot be sold as a "sweetener" or used as a "food additive." That's why you don't see it in foods, tea, or soft drinks. Unfortunately, you will never see it at your local Starbucks either.

What can you do?

Buy Stevia! You can get it at any natural health food store and most definitely at Whole Foods. It comes in individual packets just like ?The Big 3? so you can take them with you on the go.

Use Stevia in your coffee or tea whenever possible. Using Sweet N' Low, Equal, and Splenda once and awhile won't kill you but artificial sweeteners health risks should be taken very seriously. If you really do an inventory and take notice of how often you may actually be using artificial sweeteners by checking a few labels and counting how many times you include them in your coffee or tea...You may be quite surprised. I know I was.

I know you didn't want to hear this. I just took your favorite artificial sweetener away, like a mother taking candy from a baby, didn't I?

Sorry.

My advice: get off the chemical train, so you can Live Longer, Look Younger and perform at your best

More information can be found at: http://www.1HealthTip.com