• ~ Sucralose is an artificial sweetener.
• ~ It is a chlorinated sugar. Adding chlorine makes it a synthetic sugar, which the body does not recognize.
• ~ Three chemical groups in sugar are replaced with three atoms of chlorine.
• ~ It is 600 times sweeter than table sugar.

The temptation of artificial sweeteners is their promise to give you a sweet taste without any calories: a dieter’s dream! Zero calories, however, does not equal weight loss. The sweet taste hits your mouth and your body responds, enzymes, insulin, and all.

Splenda claims that it does not break down in the body, but it does, into 1,6 dichlorofructose, a highly toxic chlorocarbon, lacking adequate testing in humans.

Continued ingestion of sucralose (similar to chlorinated pesticides) may contribute to immunological or neurological disorders. Shrunken thymus glands (foundation of the immune system), enlarged liver and kidneys, calcification of the kidneys, decreased red blood cell count – these are results from the pre-approval research.

There are no long-term studies for Splenda, as it is too new on the market, meaning that long-term use and health effects are completely unknown. Who wants to be that guinea pig?
Hundreds of testimonials from people who have suffered (migraines, rashes, depression, and psychosis) while consuming Splenda are available at: http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/3/sucralose_testimonials.htm

When your body craves sweetness, it’s looking for something real.

Choose cane juice, turbinado sugar, honey, fruit, or sweeter vegetables like carrots and peas.

Stevia is gaining in popularity as a sweetener because it is also calorie free, but it is derived from a plant leaf. It does not bake well and its aftertaste is not pleasant, however, so it may not be the perfect choice.

Xylitol is another good option, though. Made from corn, beets, or birch, it is natural, safe, has half the calories of sugar, zero carbohydrates, and no aftertaste.

Most importantly, consider what you’re putting in your body before you do. Calorie-free does not mean healthy.

Aim for whole, natural foods, even when it’s sweetness that you’re after.

And, be well,

Theresa

Get your free resources from Theresa Singleton, MA at http://www.freedomfromdiets.com !

^References:

^{Bowen, James MD., Splenda is not Splendid! http://wnho.net/splenda.htm 
Hass, Elson M., MD., Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Celestial Arts, (2006).
Sucralose Toxicity Information Center: http://www.holisticmed.com/Splenda
Xylitol, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol}