Some may call it a secret, others may call it common sense depending on your level of health knowledge. For optimal health avoid artificial sweeteners. Somehow we have been led to believe that since it contains no sugar, it must be healthier than sugar. Sugar is not bad for us unless it is taken out of its natural concentrations and consumed in the form of refined bleached sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
In my humble opinion, if I had to choose between an artificial sweetener and refined sugar, I would choose the refined sugar as the lesser of two evils. Artificial sweeteners are laboratory bred, highly toxic chemicals that some people are starting to link to diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, brain tumors, Parkinson's, and cancer. Highly concentrated sugar has been linked to diabetes and obesity both of which can be easily reversed, but more on that later.
So what is the alternative? In my humble opinion, I believe a combination of two works best.
Number 1: Moderation. Did you ever stop to think maybe we were not designed to consume copious amounts of sweets every day? Try to put things into perspective by imagining how many apples and oranges would you have to eat to get the same amount of sugar found in that slice of white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.
Number 2: Natural Sweeteners. Some people have adjusted to enjoying beverages like coffee and tea plain. Real coffee connoisseurs drink it without additives so as to fully enjoy the aromas and flavors. Those who drink coffee for the caffeine fix know that drinking it without sugar is more stimulating. If you must use sweeteners, or for cooking and shakes or smoothies I suggest the following:
Stevia
Honey
Molasses
Agave Nectar
REAL Maple Syrup
Raw Sugar
Products like honey, molasses, agave nectar, and maple syrup (NOT Aunt Jemimia's) are not just sugar, but food providing various nutrients in addition to the sugar. Agave Nectar has a low glycemic index which means the sugar goes into your blood slower. Stevia contains no sugar and comes from the Stevia plant which has a natural sweet taste. The only known natural sweetener that does not contain sugar. You can find it at a health food store but it will not be sold as a sweetener, the FDA requires that it be marketed as a dietary supplement only.
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1 comment:
Hi Adrian, thanks for your kind offer you posted on the Freeadforum for my website www.farawaysister.com
Ofcourse I like to take it up.
You have a very nice and informative blog.
My friend, who will add the link, is moving from one coast of USA to another, at present.
I will ask her to put a link to your blog when she settles down in her new place, which should be around a month from now ( she's driving right across the US of A ).
I don't know programming, she does. And I don't even have the code to my site.
My email ID is joshi@herbaltradition.com
Please give me an address to contact you when she's ready.
And thank you, again.
Dr. Jayashree Joshi
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