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Latest "Guilt Free" Sugar Substitute Healthy?

Updated on April 15, 2011

Lean mean fighting machines love sugar... What to do?

Could Man Have Finally Created a Healthy Sugar Substitute?

I was inspired to write this article because of a conversation I had with a good friend. The statement to me was something like this, “Splendid” is the best natural sweetener for those in search of something other than the potential health risk Aspartame products present with no calories.” And of course, I stated, “no way man could have produced an altered anything that would be good for the consumer.” We’ll we both agreed to disagree, I then said you’ve inspired me to get further educated in the matter and then we went our merry ways.

This drew a huge question in my head because after reviewing the product contents, it looks good on the surface, because it is basically a sucrolose/dextrose natural sugar composition with “no calories.” However, my model has always been, anything natural and changed by man has to be bad for consumers in the long run. So of course, I could not let this stand in my head unanswered.

The next question that immediately followed… Could man have possibly created an artificial sugar replacement that would be equal too or better for your health? My hunch after just a bit of research was correct.

What research has revealed to me, Splendid "is" a "man altered natural sugar composition.” Focus on the word “altered” for a moment, because altered is not a natural occurring product you can harvest and consume from the fields. It is two natural sugars combined to increase sweetness concentrations found in the tiny yellow coffee packets as one of many products for sale to the consuming public. These natural occurring sugars, altered by man are now beginning to show ill-health effects in animal studies.

This does not surprise me. The super concentrate of chemically bound natural sugars would create “in my mind” an addiction to use, “in over moderation as a sugar substitute,” especially for those addicted to dietary carbohydrates. I know those with low serotonin production in the brain, or those with depressed mood are at risk to this sugar concentrate addiction. This is because of the serotonin-depression correlation. In other words, those suffering of depression have been found to also have low levels of serotonin brain chemical. And there is also a correlation with obesity and depression. And these low serotonin levels tell the brain to increase appetite for carbohydrates so one feels better in mood. This physiological feedback relationship has a huge potential to create more ill-health for those with weight problems and depression!

Ill-Health Correlation Problem: If “anyone” feels a boost in positive mood experience especially after one is flush with high concentrations of man-made sugar… In the long run the body, “I believe” and what science is now revealing will fall upon more ill-health problems because of addiction susceptibility.  For example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar count, mood swings, migraines, mental instability, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), etc., and who really knows what else!

What you need to know… Although Splendid is simply a mix of natural sugars, with basically zero calories, there is scientific evidence showing this transformed natural sugar composition is having a negative impact on good intestinal bacteria in lab rats. Also, it is now showing migraine headaches in lab studies as well. How does this apply, or relate to humans per these few study examples?

Splendid consumers that take in too many splendid sweeteners may now be impacting their intestinal & mental health that correlates with mood, obesity and weight management goals.

Recommendations: Keep diets as natural as possible and avoid man made products for best diet and overall weight-health management-results. Then again, moderation in everything we do. I still stand on the premise, anything man-made, or altered from its natural state will accelerate ill-health side effects if one is predestined to experience through genetics, habits, behaviors, etc.

As far as I’m concerned, splendid is simply another quick fix to appeal to the consumer demand in a quick fix consumer expectation world. Splendid makers will continue to profit on this self proclaimed healthy low-cal natural sugar alternative as long as possible. Eventually, it too will have its downfall as consumers become more aware of ill-health risks and manufacture profits fall. After this product runs its course a new manmade replacement will appear in the market replacing the flavor of the decade. Such is the cycle of our consumer economic engine and continued obesity supply problem provided to our youth for many years to come.

Splendid may cause little harm to those that can balance their daily diets and not predisposed to weight and mood problems. But those that are already obese, or fighting weight issues, depression… This to me is a formulae where obsessions to lose, or control weight instead of changing dietary/exercise habits “can” become a real nightmare!

Read from previous related article linked below - Recommendations: Do not consume aspartame, or products marketed under the following brands: NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Equal-Measure and Canderel. Aspartame can be found in more than 5,000 products including, but not limited to: Diet sodas, juice drinks, flavored waters, chewing gum, table-top sweeteners, diet and diabetic foods, breakfast cereals, such as Fiber One, fiber supplements, such as orange flavored Metamucil, jams, and sweets. Always follow a healthy balanced diet plan and incorporate exercise into your daily lifestyle.

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