Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Not all artificial sweetners are safe in the long run.

If you walk in to a nearby grocery store, you will see a wide range of Artificial Sweeteners – There is Saccharin (Sweet-n-Low), Acesulfame Potassium (Sunett), Aspartame (NutraSweet or Equal), Sucralose (Splenda), and D-Tagatose (Sugaree). According to 2004 statistics compiled by the Calorie Control Council, almost 180 million Americans routinely eat and drink sugar-free products such as desserts and artificially sweetened sodas etc.
The real irony is that despite being approved by the FDA, Artificial Sweeteners are

Not Safe

for Diabetics. Artificial Sweeteners are no more than chemical sweeteners and they pose a threat to diabetics, who are always on medication and chemical management. None of the above mentioned sweeteners are perfectly safe for diabetics. They come packaged with a wide range of side effects. They sell because they are marketed in way to create an illusion of safety for diabetics and weight watchers. They tempt diabetics into believing that they can eat whatever they want without worrying about blood sugar levels.
But by consuming these Chemical/Artificial Sweeteners you are merely tricking your bodies. These fake sugars do not affect your blood sugar levels but are very harmful in the long run. Don’t get disappointed, you have a whole lot of natural options that can give you as much sweetness without health hazards.

Types of Sugars

Sugars are nothing but Carbohydrates. They are available either as Simple Carbohydrates or Complex Carbohydrates.
Your refined sugar, fructose, raw sugar, brown sugar and honey are Simple Carbohydrates. They are low on nourishment and get quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing the pancreas to release insulin to do away the excess carbohydrates. But if you are a Diabetic, you may not be able to produce enough insulin, as a result the carbs remain in your blood causing a rise in your blood sugar levels.
Complex Carbohydrates such as barley malt and brown rice syrup get absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower pace. They result in sustained energy levels and nourishment.
You can choose to consume Complex Carbs i.e naturally malted whole grain sweeteners like rice, barley or brown rice malt syrup. These cereal malt syrups are complete natural and safe. They are made by a slow, natural enzymatic process, where the whole grains are partially broken down to yield a thick, rich, sweet liquid.
For example, the Rice malt syrup comprises of 30% soluble complex carbohydrates, 45% maltose, 3-4% percent glucose, and 20% water. The glucose is absorbed into the blood almost immediately. The maltose takes up to one and a half hours to digest, and the complex carbohydrates are gradually digested and released for up to four hours unlike other concentrated sweeteners made up of simple sugars that get digested and released into the bloodstream immediately. Unlike the Simple Carbs, the body works for 2-4 hours to digest these Complex Carbohydrates that are slow but prolonged sources of energy.
Unlike refined sugar, the rice or brown rice malt syrup is rich in B vitamins and minerals. The Rice Malt Syrup is mildly flavored compared to the overpowering flavors of honey, maple syrup, and molasses. You can satisfy your sweet tooth using such Natural Complex Carbohydrates in moderation.

Natural Sweetener

Instead of Chemical Sweeteners available in the market, a Natural Sweetener derived from natural sources is good for diabetics.
Stevia is believed to be by far the best sweetener for diabetics. It is derieved from a herb Stevia rebaudiana native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America. It is commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf or sugarleaf. Its extracts are 300 times sweeter than sugar. It is 100% natural and perfectly safe for diabetics. It is as low on calories as all the artificial sweeteners. It is also stable for cooking and baking. It is consumed as natural sweetener by diabetics in Japan, France and different Asian and European countries.
However, the FDA has not yet approved Stevia as a Sweetener and Food Additive due to political controversies. It is said that if Stevia is approved by the FDA as a Sweetener, it will not only put a full stop on all the chemical sweeteners but also adversely affect the refined sugar industry. This why it is approved only as a Dietary Supplement.
References:
  1. Low Calorie sweeteners
  2. Artificial sweeteners Recommended
 Source: http://diabetes.ygoy.com/2007/10/31/sweeteners-for-diabetics/

Comment:
The industry of Fake sugar substitutes is putting money in the FDA and the government to get more business. They are telling lies to the public!!!!!!