A lot of us use artifical sweetners such as Sweet N' Low, Splenda and Equal. I use them in my coffee but not in tea. This article leads us to believe that Aspartame is harmless and even goes as far as to insinuate that it's healthy for us.
"Ajinomoto believes that the time is right to remind the industry that Aspartame tastes just like sugar and that it's made from amino acids - the building blocks of protein that are abundant in our diet"
The reality is that it's far from healthy but actually dangerous. There's a huge laundry list of bad side effects including but not limited to: (these are just the tip of the iceberg)
Eye
blindness in one or both eyes
decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
pain in one or both eyes
Neurologic
epileptic seizures
headaches, migraines and (some severe)
dizziness, unsteadiness, both
confusion, memory loss
Aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Therefore, it is typical that aspartame symptoms cannot be detected in lab tests and on x-rays. Textbook disorders and diseases may actually be a toxic load as a result of aspartame poisoning.
Clicky for the entire list of side effects. I think I'm switching back to sugar FULL TIME!
Not to mention that when your brain senses sweet but your blood doesn't the craving remains so you are at an increased risk for over consumption to satiate the need for sweet. I use sugar and only sugar but have used Agave nectar and stevia which are both plant based.
I've read that too. That even though you taste sweetness, you're insulin, etc. still never changes, so you actually get fatter because you end up eating something even more fattening, or something along those lines. Your brain is too smart to be faked out by the fake sweetness essentially.
Knowing that bit of info, I've acvtually noticed that happening to myself even. So at least I know after having something with artificial sweetener, to not give in to the craving afterwards. I do still tend to use Splenda though, just because I drink so much tea through the day that if I used real sugar I'd look like a sea cow. I just control the cravings, which when it boils down to it, lack of control is what the real 'devi' is to everyone. We live in a society where people completely lack self-control (in many ways), and choose to just point the finger at other people/things.
Btw, how is that Stevia? I've heard good things but never tried it?
Btw, how is that Stevia? I've heard good things but never tried it?
Stevia tastes like Equal and is about as sweet. I don't like the taste of Equal so I gave it away after I tried it. Stevia has the advantage of being plant based but it's still processed but I guess so is sugar just probably not quite as much.
I fully admit I use equal and splenda. I do like splenda better. I still plan to use it.
Louisville, KY
Single & Looking
I believe I read on Popsci's website sometime back that the Air Force won't let pilots consume Equal. I won't let my daughter consume artificial sweeteners and I don't use them either. Not to mention that when your brain senses sweet but your blood doesn't the craving remains so you are at an increased risk for over consumption to satiate the need for sweet. I use sugar and only sugar but have used Agave nectar and stevia which are both plant based. Agave nectar is good but the taste is too strong for hot tea. I'll still use it in some cooking recipes that would call for honey. Real maple syrup and molasses work well to.