Hi! I was watching Dr.Oz while folding some laundry this morning..he was talking about artificial sweeteners that caught my attention so decided to share the article on his site about it. Its a great source of info that most of us probably so not know(I know I was not aware of a lot of the info her shared).
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/artificial-sweeteners-and-other-food-substitutes-dangerous-your-health
You put artificial sweeteners in your coffee, drink them in
your diet soda and use them to limit sugar intake and cut calories. But
could they be hazardous to your health?
This question is critical since the average American consumes 24
pounds of artificial sweeteners each year. Soda is the most common place
they’re found, but did you know that sugar substitutes are also added
to nearly 6,000 other products sold in the US, including baby foods,
frozen dinners and even yogurts?
The 3 major groups of FDA-approved artificial sweeteners on the market are:
- Aspartame (includes Equal, Nutrasweet brands)
- Sucralose (includes Splenda brand)
- Saccharin (includes Sweet’N Low brand)
Besides artificial sweeteners, today’s grocery store shelves are also
lined with substitutes for butter, salt and fat. In all of these cases,
the substitute is not necessarily the better option.
Here’s the skinny on the 4 top questions concerning artificial
sweeteners, and the facts you need to know regarding other popular
“fake” foods.
The Skinny on Artificial Sweeteners
Can They Cause Weight Gain?
Many people use artificial sweeteners to cut their caloric intake,
but the very opposite effect can occur. New research shows that
artificial sweeteners stimulate taste receptors that sense sweetness in
both the esophagus and stomach. Anticipating energy, the pancreas
releases insulin, an important hormone for accumulating body fat. At the
same time, chemicals are sent to the brain’s satiety center, which
becomes confused as to whether or not the body is actually receiving
calories. The result? You feel even hungrier and less full, which can
lead to weight gain.
Are They Addictive?
First, artificial sweeteners are substances some people feel they
can’t live without, a sign of an addiction. Second, artificial
sweeteners are much sweeter than natural sugars, such as those found in
whole grains, fruits and skim milk, and can actually reset your taste
buds. The body then builds up a tolerance, which can cause overuse,
another sign of addiction.
The theory between artificial sweeteners and weight gain extends to
include addictive behavior. As the sweet receptors in the esophagus and
stomach become “tricked” by the zero-calorie sugar substitute, you crave
more food and become susceptible to addictive eating habits like
binging or overeating.
Are They Linked To Diabetes?
Since artificial sweeteners cause your body to crave more food, you can put on weight, which increases your risk for diabetes.
Whether you’re diabetic or not, limit yourself to no more than 2
servings of artificial sweeteners per day. (A serving size equals 1
sweetener packet or 1 diet soda.)
Can They Cause Cancer?
When artificial sweeteners like saccharin were first marketed, some
animal studies showed an increased rate of cancer in animals. However,
the FDA has done due diligence in their research for these sweeteners,
and no evidence exists that moderate use in humans can cause cancer.
Naturally Sweet Alternatives
Instead of artificial sweeteners, try one of these natural alternatives.
- Honey: Unlike white table sugar, honey is a
complex food. One teaspoon contains 25 other compounds including
proteins, amino acids and trace minerals.
- Agave: A distilled sweetener derived from the blue agave cactus, agave has a low glycemic index.
- Stevia: A low-calorie sweetener that comes
from a plant native to Paraguay and Brazil, stevia is 200 times
sweeter than table sugar, so a little goes a long way.
Other Popular Food Substitutes
Here’s the rundown on 4 other popular food substitutes.
Butter vs. Margarine
Unlike butter, margarine is made of vegetable oil and contains zero
cholesterol. But not all margarines are equal, and some are worse for
you than butter. As a rule of thumb, avoid more solid margarines; they
often contain trans fats, which increase the risk of heart disease.
As an alternative to butter and margarine, choose olive oil, one of Dr. Oz’s anti-aging superfoods.
Click here for more information on olive oil.
“Homemade” Oil Spray vs. Non-stick Spray
Non-stick sprays made from different oils come in pressurized
containers, so you’re not just getting oil but added chemicals. Make
your own by filling a spray pump bottle with olive, walnut or other
healthy, monounsaturated oils.
Fat vs. Olestra
Olestra is a fat substitute found in snack items like potato chips.
Although it takes the fat out of foods, it can also cause extreme GI
side effects like gas, cramping and even anal leakage. The next time
you’re craving a crunchy snack, try a handful of almonds or walnuts,
loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Table Salt vs. Potassium Chloride
People with high blood pressure often reach for salt substitutes.
Many contain potassium chloride, which can be harmful, especially for
people with kidney disease. To reduce your sodium intake, try sprinkling
dry or fresh herbs on foods for added zest.
Click here for low-salt recipes and tips on substituting herbs for salt.
