Artificial Sweeteners

Nutrition Tip

Every day someone asks me about diet drinks or artificial sweeteners. Without going into too much detail, I would like to take issue with a couple of them and then give you an alternative.

Aspartame (Nutri-sweet) is much sweeter tasting than sugar. The problem is that Aspartame is an "excitotoxin" which over stimulates brain cells leading to changes in neurotransmitters, headaches and even mood swings. I recommend avoiding them for that reason. What is even worse is that they have been found to stimulate appetite. So while you are drinking your diet drink, you eat more. Where's the sense in that?

Splenda is sucralose, which is a chlorinated sugar molecule. The makers claim the bond is so tight that it will not release the chlorine. I am not convinced. If that chlorine molecule is released there is some theory that it can replace the iodine molecule which naturally occurs on your thyroid hormone leading to thyroid problems. In the worst case it could release chlorine, which is a known toxin and carcinogen, into your system. I think we have enough toxins entering our system. No need to introduce one voluntarily in the name of a sweet taste.

If you do need to add sweeteners to foods or drinks. I recommend Stevia. It is a safe and plant based sweetener that you can find at your local health food store.