Is Splenda bad for you?

[GinaRae]

Seems like Splenda has replaced aspartame. I know it's probably not good for you, but is it bad?

[LittleLlama]

Of all the substitute products it's probably the least bad. However.... your body will still have a reaction in a round-about-way like it would to sugar. It doesn't directly impact your blood sugar levels, but it still has to be "processed" like a sugar. I used to know all this specific stuff from biology, but that was two years ago and... well, I've been pregnant a lot since then

[brooklyn_warbler]

it's not so well-researched which is a big issue for me, but i have to say that everything i HAVE read about it has scared me. it's chlorinated sugar, after all.

[Googy]

I've actually heard that Spenda can be worse! Splenda is made by chlorinating table sugar, and chlorine is a known carsinogen. Also, Spenda has never been studied for long-term safety, that's why people assume its safe--there is no direct scientific evidence to the contrary (yet). However, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence as to the dangers of Splenda. Here are some great links on the subject:

http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritio...ss/splenda.asp

http://www.redicecreations.com/speci...sucralose.html

http://www.deepdownwellness.com/alth...dasymtoms.html

http://www.janethull.com/newsletter/...e-go-again.php

[GinaRae]

Eeewww...

And Aimee (Googy), what the heck would we do without your research links???

[Googy]

If you are looking for a calorie-free sugar substitute, try Stevia!!!

[IvyAfire]

Yes it's awful.

There is a story in the book Sweet Deception about a man who tried to make caramel with it and it gave off fumes that nearly knocked him out.

In the book there are quotes from the studies funded by the artificial sweetener companies and FDA notes showing all the reasons why Splenda shouldn't have been approved for sale. There is another fun fact about the FDA: Nearly 20 million patients were exposed to 5 drugs that were recalled in 1997 and 1998 alone. That is almost 10 percent of the USA's population affected by drugs which were approved by the FDA. The FDA approved Splenda using the same standards. :


Steve's Story.
Steve was trying out the low-carb "Protein Power" diet. He had tried a variety of artificial sweeteners to help assuage his sweet tooth. The first time Splenda No Calorie Sweetner became available, he ordered it from Canada. The box sported the message "Can be used just like sugar in ANY recipe." Steve took the box at its word and decided to make caramel. He poured a cup of Splenda No Calorie Sweetner into the pot and turned the heat on, paying careful attention to make sure it wouldn't burn as it melted. But the Splenda No Calorie Sweetener didn't melt; instead, the flakes started browning. Curious to see what it smelled like, Steve stuck his nose over the pan and inhaled. He immediately fell to the floor in a coughing fit. The burning sensation in his nose persisted for several hours and he had painful dry coughs for days afterward. The caramel was inedible. It tasted like it was full of acid and cayenne pepper.

In 2002, according to scorecard.org, the sucralose plant in McIntosh, Alabama produced 9.5 million pounds of total production waste, of which 200,000 pounds were released into the air and water. According to the EPA cyclohexane, dimethylamine, N,N-Dimethylformamide, Nitrates, phosgene, and chlorine have been released into the environment surrounding the plant. There are class action suits against the company for polluting the surrounding area and lowering residential property values.

Not only is this stuff poisonous for people who eat it, it's harmful to the people who have to live near the plants where they produce it.

[Googy]

Originally Posted by GinaRae

Eeewww...

And Aimee (Googy), what the heck would we do without your research links???

Its what I do...
Seriously, I've been beaten over the head with research for so many years that its like the only way I know how to solve a problem! Whenever anything comes up, the first thing I do is run to a computer. Kinda sad, actually...

[Curlita]

Seconding Googy's Stevia suggestion!

I was really lazy about giving up my aspartame until I started getting the itchies. Guess what? Cutting down on aspartame cut down on the itching! I use stevia and/or sugar for sweetening coffee, tea, iced tea, etc.

I'm similarly suspicious of Splenda... we KNOW what's bad about aspartame. The only difference with Splenda is that we don't know exactly what havoc it wreaks yet.

Let me know what you are having trouble replacing in your diet and I might have some suggestions.

[GinaRae]

I adsked because I got my hands on some Diet Hansen's soda that seems to be a healthier alternative but it has Splenda in it! Boo hoo...

[LittleLlama]

As far as doing things that your body can handle or process more readily and naturally, go for actual sugar but especially things with cane juice... which I think is what the regular Hansens uses.

[Apryl Srissa]

Anyone have any suggestions for mints with out aspartame? I love mints, but every brand I look at seems to be with the stuff, and have kinda given up.

Another good sweetener is agave. Probabaly not as healthy as stevia, but good flavor and not expensive. It's also really good for people avoiding sugars for diabetes, though I'm to groggy this morning to remember why. I use it for drinks, it's liquid and dissolves really well. It is super sweet, so don't use much though.

[mittendrin]

Splenda is bad. Sugar is bad. Alcohol is bad and the pesticides in your food are bad too. I say all in Moderation. Are you planning on using a pound of splenda to make caramel? Probably not. Sorry, I'm not up for all the paranoia. I think as long as you don't use 10 packs in your coffee everyday you are fine. I use one little pack a day for my coffee. I don't bake with it right now tho.

[sorteep]

yes

[Curlita]

Originally Posted by mittendrin

Splenda is bad. Sugar is bad. Alcohol is bad and the pesticides in your food are bad too. I say all in Moderation.

Yeah, if you're just talking about a 6-pack of diet soda, I wouldn't fret over it.

[AimeeandBrian]

I try to avoid all sugar substitutes just because they weird me out. My husband's diabetic mother puts like 6 packets or sweet and low in her iced tea and I cringe lol

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by Curlita

Yeah, if you're just talking about a 6-pack of diet soda, I wouldn't fret over it.

I totally agree.

A little bit of Splenda or Equal or anything is NOT going to cause a problem. I remember hearing that the amount of aspartame they used to test it's safety was the equivalent of a skyscraper full to a human being. Not likely you are going to eat that much in a day.

Everything in modertation. Your body does not absorb Splenda, so I would not even worry about it. Enjoy your soda.

[mysticmomma]

Originally Posted by IvyAfire

Yes it's awful.

There is a story in the book Sweet Deception about a man who tried to make caramel with it and it gave off fumes that knocked him out.

: :

[boogiemonster]

I try to avoid it completely when pregnant...and I wouldn't feed it to kids.

[IvyAfire]

Originally Posted by mysticmomma

: :

Why is that funny? : They alter the sugar with chlorine and there was some type of chlorine gas that choked him. I don't want anything to do with frankenfoods.

You could always conduct an experiment yourself.