Facebook
Twitter
RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—At this point, it's common knowledge that high-fructose corn syrup and refined sugar are bad for us. But given all the marketing hype behind different "natural" alternatives, it's hard to know which ones really are the best sweeteners. Complicating matters, new studies, like one just published in the journal Cancer Research, are finding that fructose, a sugar found in high-fructose corn syrup, agave, honey, and, in small amounts, even in fruit, actually feeds some cancers. But don't give up apples and oranges, or even honey, based on a single study. "Natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables—things like berries, green apples, grapefruit, kiwi—are needed to feed beneficial microflora in the gut for a healthy immune system," explains Donna Gates, who led the movement to bring stevia, a natural sweetener, into this country more than a decade ago. "That's why nature put a little bit of sugar in fruits and vegetables. It keeps the ecosystem alive in us," she says, adding that the small amounts of fructose in fruits and vegetables are balanced with minerals, vitamins, and other vital nutrients. "Our body reads it differently," she notes.
Fruits and vegetables provide a perfect sugar fix, but when you're in need of a sweetener to add to iced tea, baked goods, or anything else, make sure you know the difference between the good guys and bad guys of the sweetener world. (Some of the not-so-sweet details could leave you gagging.)
 |
Bad Guy #1: Aspartame There's conflicting evidence regarding the safety of aspartame, a common chemical sweetener used in diet soda and other low-cal or low-sugar goods, but some people report headaches or generally feeling unwell after ingesting anything containing the chemical. To make life easier for everyone, this is one instance where you may want to follow the "better safe than sorry" principle. That's because a University of Liverpool test-tube study found that when mixed with a common food color ingredient, aspartame actually became toxic to brain cells. Making matters worse, aspartame is used in many diet sodas, and studies have found drinking diet soda may increase your risk of developing diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Also of concern with aspartame, researchers have found that one harmful breakdown product is formaldehyde. Sweet? We don't think so. |
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-oz
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-oz-diet/dr-oz-sorbitol-xylitol-mannitol-malti...
LIES!!!
The seven sweeteners are just
The seven sweeteners are just amazing and i tried all. This is amazing technique that you shared with us. Thanks for this wonderful info.
how to do seo
I only agree with things that
I only agree with things that are medically proven. But the older myths are something which have come into picture due to experiences. So when there is a possibility, i stay away from it. I would not take a risk in such situations.
Anne Gaudenzi, fashion stylist and designer, from her websites about dresses.
Cargo pants for men: cargo pants for men guide.
Wide leg jeans: wide leg jeans guide.
Overall a good article,
Overall a good article, however I am in shock that you would rate agave as worse than sucralose, I mean come on, seriously? I buy the raw organic version, that is certainly not heavily processed, recommended to me my a naturopath I wanted to say also. I did however appreciate the information about sucralose(Splenda) that it may be a threat to our food chain. I also wanted to point out that sucralose is often found in canned drinks that aren't even labeled low calorie, such as Monster.
I only agree with things that
I only agree with things that are medically proven. But the older myths are something which have come into picture due to experiences. So when there is a possibility, i stay away from it. I would not take a risk in such situations. Mario Games
Aspartame headaces are real
Well your wrong I make #4...I get bad headaches to the aspartame also and I know others who also have reactions ..Who ever you are you need to ask around. if you choose to eat toxic stuff go ahead its your life, People like you also think smoking is safe too!!!!Get a clue.
Aspartame Myths
Please stop posting false statements not supported by science. "three people said they got a headache" Give me a break!
http://www.aspartame.org/aspartame_myths.html
Article not reflective of leading health organizations
As a dietitian with the Calorie Control Council, I am very concerned about the misinformation presented in this article. With more than half of Americans overweight or obese, low-calorie sweeteners are a safe, simple and effective tool in helping to manage weight and caloric intake. Further, the information presented in this article is not reflective of the weight of the scientific evidence nor the position of leading health and regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association. (www.caloriecontrol.org/what-experts-say) Low-calorie sweeteners have been very thoroughly studied and found to be safe time and time again.
Most health professionals would agree that making small, lifestyle changes is one of the best ways to lose weight and keep that weight off. It is unfortunate that this article contains misinformation that may unduly alarm people when sugar substitutes (and the foods and beverages that contain them) can be a simple (and safe) lifestyle change that can easily be incorporated into an overall healthy eating plan to manage calories and weight. For example, a reduced calorie yogurt is a great option for someone trying to reduce calories while still getting the same nutrition as a full calorie yogurt.
-- Beth Hubrich, RD with the Calorie Control Council
I'm sticking with local raw organic honey
I am glad to see Rodale chose to speak out about agave as a questionable sweetener. I do think it is still questionable, and there is a lot of conflicting information - just google the words "is agave truly safe" or "is agave truly highly processed." Supposedly if it is ORGANIC it cannot be processed with chemicals, so that is good. Nothing was even mentioned about sustainability aspect of agave. Honey is also low glycemic. I will only keep organic agave on my shelf for the most rarest of uses - using it to replace (not 1:1) Karo Corn Syrup for my pecan pie at Thanksgiving. I use a mix of organic agave and organic maple syrup. Thanks to Rodale for speaking up about agave. You bet I'm on the bandwagon about something so questionable and so highly UNsustainable.
Wholesale hair
wholesale hair The battle between the two parties over economic policy centers around nationalization and privatization. The
wholesale hair weave Conservatives have been very firm in their belief in free-trade and market economy, while the Labor Party,
wholesale hair extensions
I'd expect better research
Re the claim: "Agave is also very heavily processed in an extremely energy-intensive manner that's similar to the way corn is converted into high-fructose corn syrup."
Have you or your researchers ever witnessed the process for yourself? It is not "very heavily processed" - agave nectar is produced with 3 steps: 1. filter out the solids 2. add heat 3. evaporate the moisture. You call this very heavily processed? It doesn't even hold a candle to the massive processing and nasty chemicals used to convert corn into HFCS. Not even slightly close. Not to mention that agave is grown and harvested by hand (no big farming machinery like in the U.S.), does not contain GMO's, is not subsidized like big corn farming, and doesn't have a political lobby.
So why is it on your "worst" list? Worse than HFCS, artificial sweeteners, and honey containing 40 - 70% fructose?
Seems you've jumped on the trendy "fructose is evil" alarmist bandwagon.
How about using moderation and including ranges that are fine for consumption. Here are 4 peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted on humans (not rodents) that need to be considered in understanding fructose.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19592634
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18996880
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20047139
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20086073
Agave
I have to disagree with your assertion that agave is a bad sweetener! Of all establishments, I would have expected Rodale to have done their homework a bit more on this one!
Agave gets its sweetness from a complex form of fructose derived from inulin and has a very low glycemic index value when compared to other sweeteners like corn syrup! This is great for people like me who are hypoglycemic! Stevia tastes funky and honey is something I can only use sparingly as it tends to spike me up!
Fructose levels in agave products vary from brand to brand and depend on which plant they cultivate from as well as the amount of processing used. Raw agave or low-processed agave is best. Amber agave is generally less processed and sweeter than dark agave.
Most importantly, you DO NOT use agave 1:1 as a sugar substitute. 0.25:1 agave:sugar is already more than enough for most!