We are all well aware of the need to cut back on refined sugars in our diet. Especially now that there are so many research studies that link sugar intake with cancer, and other health conditions. There are so many sweeteners to choose from, so which ones are safe to use, and which ones come with unexpected side effects? Read on to find out more about sweeteners that aren’t so sweet!
The current rock star sweetener Stevia
Stevia is a very popular sweetener right now, but one I’ve always had trouble with. My health conscious relatives were using stevia before it became mainstream. I could never understand why I always ended up with migraines and severe belly aches after eating at their home. Then one day they offered a choice of two bowls of sugar for our tea; identifying one of them as stevia. I didn’t know what stevia was, so I used it. Within 15 minutes I knew what was causing the migraines and belly aches.
According to a very good article by Hanna from facty.com entitled Is Stevia a Healthy Sweetener?, allergic reaction is quite common. Stevia is in the same family as ragweed, daisies, and marigolds, so if you are allergic to any of those, you may react badly to stevia. I am very allergic to ragweed, and as it turns out to stevia as well. For me, this means I have to be very careful eating sweets that others bring to pot lucks. I often have to ask what sweeteners were used in making deserts whenever I go out.
Some of the other side effects of stevia
Abnormally low blood pressure, too many carbs for diabetics, digestive problems, and damage to your body, are also side effects of using stevia. As previously mentioned, I experienced digestive problems including bloating, abdominal pain, and on occasion diarrhea. This along with with the migraines that struck within 15 minutes of consuming it, made for a very uncomfortable evening with family and friends.
I was surprised that it could cause abnormally low blood pressure. I already have low blood pressure which makes the dizziness I experienced understandable. For someone taking blood pressure medication, using stevia could have serious effects. Although stevia is considered safe for diabetics, eating too much can actually increase their carb count substantially. A much safer option for diabetics is honey or maple syrup in moderation.
There is also concern that the raw stevia herb may cause harm to your reproductive system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. More research needs to be done on this, so I would recommend contacting your physician to see if it’s right for you. For me it’s not worth the risk. I check labels on everything we buy, and don’t use it at all.
The sweetener Aspartame
When you use Nutrasweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin®, you are consuming aspartame. Aspartame is a very controversial sweetener as the FDA and most physicians will claim it’s safe in moderation, but it has been linked to a lot of different health conditions over the years. The most common include:
- Cancer
- Health risks for sufferers of Phenylketonuria(PKU)
- Contains toxic doses of methanol.
- Possible damage to eyesight,
- Contributes to hearing impediments.
- Epilepsy,
- Premature births
- Aggravates allergies
This is an alarming list. For me it causes migraines within 15 minutes of consumption. There are even studies where MS patients that stopped their consumption of aspartame experienced a drastic reduction in their symptoms.
Aspartame, is a sweetener created in a lab, and the body doesn’t know how to break it down. This can lead to it building up in body, preventing weight loss, as well as causing problems elsewhere. The FDA and physicians say it’s safe in moderation, but how much is too much? In all the research I’ve done, I have never seen an amount listed of when it becomes unsafe. If you consume products with aspartame, I challenge you to take a 60 day break from consuming it. Let me know what your experiences are. Have any of your health related issues improved? Honestly, let me know by emailing me at acgamero16@gmail.com.
The sweetener Sucralose
Splenda also known as sucralose, is a chlorinated sucrose derivative that the body has trouble breaking down. It’s well known that sucralose was originally created as a new insecticide compound. Can I have some insecticide in my tea please? NO THANKS! So what are the side effects linked to sucralose?
According to an excellent article Sucralose: 5 Reasons to avoid This Artificial Sweetener by Christine Ruggeri, CHHC some of the most important are:
- May cause diabetes.
- Increases risk of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn’s Disease.
- Linked to leaky gut.
- May generate toxic and carcinogenic compounds when heated.
- Associated with weight gain.
Any one of these would be a great reason to stop using it. What’s the point of taking a sugar substitute to lose weight, if it actually causes weight gain? The author leaves out that it is also a migraine trigger, but again it was about the top 5 reasons, not all the reasons to not use it.
Erythritol
Erythritol is another one of the “sugar alcohols” that are among the artificial sweeteners. You can find them in toothpastes and many other processed foods. Although they are approved as being safe for human consumption, most of the research for them was done on rats. Here are the side effects that are currently being linked to Erythritol.
- Cardivascular events.
- Blood clots.
- nausea, borborygmi (Loud rumbling noise of gas through the intestines)
According to a Forbes.com article by Arianna Johnson titled New Warning About Zero-Calorie Sugar Substitute: What Experts Are Saying About Erythritol, “the degree of risk was not modest.” Here again, do your own research and decide if using erythritol is worth the risk.
What are some sweeteners you can trust?
My goal in this article was to educate you on the risks that common popular sweeteners pose. I don’t however what to leave you on a downer, so here are some sweeteners you can trust in moderation.
- Honey – Still great for those with diabetes.
- Maple Syrup – Even better than honey for those with diabetes.
- Date sugar
- Banana puree
- Blackstrap molasses
- Monkfruit – Be careful it isn’t combined with sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, or stevia.
Conclusion
In conclusion I hope this article has provided new information about the side effects that sugar substitutes can have. Most of them you probably have never heard of before. One thing the last few years have taught us, is that we can’t trust government agencies or the media to have our best interests at heart. We need to take care of our own health and what we put in our bodies. Most of all, I want to empower you to do your own research. Don’t trust what I say, do your own research and make the best decision for you!
One-on-one coaching is a great way to start building your confidence, and improve your health! I offer confidence coaching, health & lifestyle coaching, and exercise coaching. Click here for an application form and I would be happy to help you in your journey. You can also contact me at acgamero16@gmail.com or check out my website: www.nopainallgain.ca
