Article Contributed on: 7/11/2009 2:55:25 AM
According to the New York Times, by the end of this summer 11% of the food items on supermarket shelves will be labeled "reduced sugar" - most of those targeted at kids and their moms. Sales in granulated sugar have dropped 4% in the past six months. What's behind this trend? Splenda.
Products featuring Splenda are perceived as "natural" because of the FDA's press release that sucralose "is made from sugar" - an assertion disputed by the Sugar Association, which is suing Splenda's manufacturer, McNeil Nutritionals. Even the Splenda website states that "although sucralose has a structure like sugar and a sugar-like taste, it is not natural."
While some industry experts claim the molecule is similar to table salt or sugar, other independent researchers say it has more in common with pesticides. That's because the bonds holding the carbon and chlorine atoms together are more characteristic of a chlorocarbon than a salt - and most pesticides are chlorocarbons.
The scary thing about Splenda is that in 11 years, there have been no independent studies conducted for longer than 6 months. Also, there have been no large studies conducted with more than 128 people. So, the effects of using Splenda 1, 5, 10 and 20 years are very much unknown, making our children and ourselves the test subjects.
Evidence of Splenda's side effects is accumulating little by little. Sucralose has been implicated as a possible migraine trigger, for example. Self-reported adverse reactions to Splenda or sucralose collected by the Sucralose Toxicity Information Center include skin rashes/flushing, panic-like agitation, dizziness and numbness, diarrhea, swelling, muscle aches, headaches, intestinal cramping, bladder issues, and stomach pain.
But one thing is certain: some of the chemicals that comprise artificial sweeteners are known hazards - the degree to which you experience side effects just depends on your individual biochemistry. Manufacturers are banking that our bodies won't absorb very much of these compounds at any one time. But what happens when we are ingesting a combination of artificial sweeteners like Splenda dozens of times a week through many different "low-sugar" or "sugar-free" products? Or following low-calorie recipes that require cups of these artificial sweeteners? And what happens when we begin ingesting these chemicals as a toddler? No child should be used as an experiment for the artificial sweetener industry!
Check your labels, especially fruit juices, protein and shake powders, candy and other sweets! Sucralose is found in a variety of products. You'd be surprised where it is lurking! Take a stand and find healthy alternatives!
• Interested in learning more about how to live a healthy lifestyle?
• Want to make educated choices when grocery shopping, cooking, reading food labels, exercise and more?
• Are you tired? Out of shape? Struggling with your weight?
• Has your physician recommended you make a few changes to your eating and exercise habits due to elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes?
Then this is what you've been waiting for ...
The HEALTHY EDGE.
The HEALTHY EDGE is a proven 7-week interactive program focused on educating and supporting individuals and their families interested in living a healthy lifestyle. No more diets! No more gimmicks! No more losing, only to gain it all back plus more!
You'll get the tools, personal attention and support for a life of health and lasting weight release with no starvation, deprivation, excessive exercise and chemically engineered food or drugs! You can feel great, look great and do something your whole family will enjoy!
Attend a free 1-hour
HEALTHY EDGE introductory seminar:
-Discover why diets fail
-Learn the key to breaking free from carb addiction
-Hear of a safe and effective jumpstart that results in an average weight release of 5 pounds in just 5 days
-Decide which 7-week
HEALTHY EDGE program is right for you
-Take home a few tips to get you started
So if you are wanting to release a few pounds or inches, have more energy, provide a healthy lifestyle for your family or are just following doctor's orders, then check out
The HEALTHY EDGE!
Everyone who attends will be entered into a drawing for some great (and healthy!) prizes including a gift certificate to Supper Solutions, pedometer and more!
Take a minute to RSVP to this eye-opening seminar to find out how Julie released 11 pounds, Arleen 16, Phil 24 and Keith 22 with
The HEALTHY EDGE program.
Contact Karen at 303-384-1114 or
click on this email link to register for this free introductory seminar or for
The HEALTHY EDGE nearest you! There are intimate groups already meeting weekly.
Meet you on the edge - the healthy edge!
MONDAY JULY 13
Where: Supper Solutions 8100 W. Crestline Ave. Unit A-16 Littleton CO 80123 (near Southwest Plaza)
When: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
TUESDAY JULY 14
Where: Foothills Art Gallery 809 15th St. Golden CO 80401 (just off Washington St - enter from rear parking lot)
When: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
WEDNESDAY JULY 15
Where: Supper Solutions 2145 E. 120th Ave Unit C Thornton CO 80233 (120th Ave. & Claude Ct behind TCF Bank & Saxby's Coffee)
When: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reference:
http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/splenda.aspx
Source: Amber Thiel and April Willer, Founders, The Healthy Edge