Science backs up common sense…yet again

As you have heard me say over and over- foods made by man can not possibly be as good as the food God put on this planet for our consumption.  Man-made products are our attempts to find a short cut, to circumvent the natural laws of this world, and to assert our control over every situation.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.  My husband and I have steered people away from artificial sweeteners for years.  The newest release, Splenda (sucralose) took the nation by storm and showed up in so many products it was crazy.  I see people buying this stuff by the carload at places like Costco and BJ’s.  They are buying products with it  in them, adding it to drinks, cooking with it, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were actually snorting it.  This stuff is BAD NEWS.  But, in case my common sense approach doesn’t convince you, here is a new study touting the potential harmful effects of Splenda.

For the full article go to  ttp://articles.mercola.com//sites/articles/archive/2009/02/10/New-Study-of-Splenda-Reveals-Shocking-Information-About-Potential-Harmful-Effects.aspx

Here are the highlights:

• Animal studies showed that Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the gut by 50%,

• increased the pH level in the intestines,

• contributed to increases in body weight

Basically, your body has no idea what to do with this stuff.  One of the reasons it contributes to weight gain is because regular sugar actually triggers the brain to feel satiated and artificial sweeteners turn off this mechanism.   This results in eating more because it effects appetite regulation.

There is actually a website (www.truthaboutsplenda.com) that lists consumer complaints from Splenda consumption.  I highly recommend you read it and share it with your friends and family.  Here are some of the top complaints:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Migraines
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision
• Allergic Reactions
• Blood Sugar Increases (listen up diabetics)
• Weight Gain

Just know that we are the guinea pigs for this product and many others.  That is why I try to stick to natural, whole foods.

So what is a person to do?  The best thing is to eliminate the sugars alltogether but some alternatives would be:  honey, agave nectar, stevia (I like Stevita brand), xylitol

In the background right now, my kids are watching the Wizards of Waverly Place.  As I am writing this the them is singing, “everything is not what it seems”.  Quite appropriate for this topic I think.