The Big Artificial Sweetener Lie - Research Found
Artificial sweeteners make you fatter, not thinner. And as a result, they
raise, instead of lower, your risk of type 2 diabetes. 0
The latest study backing this up was published in the
journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports. Researchers followed 5,158 people
for seven years.
Scientists found that people who used artificial sweeteners
gained more weight than those who didn’t use them.
Professor Peter Clifton led the study. He found that
consumers of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (NutraSweet) and sucralose
(Splenda) tend not to reduce their overall sugar intake. They end up feeling
that “they can indulge in their favorite foods.”
On top of that, “artificial sweeteners also change gut
bacteria, which may lead to weight gain and risk of type 2 diabetes,” said
Professor Clifton.
Diet sodas may be the worst type of non-sugar sweetened
products. They’re linked with a higher risk of death from all causes. They
increase the chances of having heart disease, a stroke, and dementia.
6 Natural and Healthy Sweeteners
There are better options than artificial sweeteners and
refined sugar:
Coconut Sugar. Made from the sap of cut flower buds of
the coconut palm, it has a lower glycemic index than table sugar. This prevents
blood sugar spikes. It’s also a great source of potassium. Despite its name, it
doesn’t have a coconut flavor. The taste is more along the lines of brown
sugar. You can swap it for regular sugar in cooking.
- Agave Nectar. This honey-like sap comes from the leaves of blue agave, a succulent plant in Mexico. Like coconut sugar, agave nectar has a low glycemic index. It’s 1-1/2 times sweeter than sugar, so you don’t need to use as much.
- Date Sugar. Made from dehydrated dates, it is loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is best used for baking. It makes a great alternative to brown sugar. You can find it at health food stores. Just be sure it is unprocessed and raw. (Read more: 8 HEALTH BENEFITS OF DATES)
- Raw Honey. Not all honey is the same. Most honey, probably the kind you have sitting in your pantry, is heavily processed. Raw organic honey is a better choice. It hasn’t been heated, pasteurized, or processed. Raw honey contains vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that industrial honeys don’t have. The darker the honey, the more nutrients and flavor. It’s just as sweet as sugar, only healthier. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. (Also: Health Benefits Of Honey: Healing Properties of Honey - Dr Appiah)
- Blackstrap Molasses. With its robust bittersweet flavor, blackstrap molasses is the liquid byproduct of sugarcane. But don’t confuse blackstrap molasses with regular molasses. They’re produced differently. Blackstrap molasses contains an array of healthy minerals such as iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, and calcium. It also has more antioxidants than any other natural sweetener. It has a low glycemic index to help control blood sugar levels.
- Stevia. This low-calorie natural sweetener is made from the leaves of a plant native to South America. Stevia is much sweeter than table sugar. So a little goes a long way. The leaves can be used whole or ground. Its glycemic index is zero. So it has no effect on your blood sugar. There are also no artificial ingredients in it.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
