In an effort to reduce sugar content,
many people reach for artificial sweeteners to make their coffee or tea taste a
little better. You might think that those little colored packets are saving you
from a few extra calories or helping you lower your sugar content. The truth
is, artificial sweeteners can be dangerous to the body. It turns out that one
popular sweetener is actually a powerful pesticide.
Truvia sweetener is made from about
99.5% erythritol, a sugar alcohol, and 0.5% rebiana. Rebiana is an extract from
the stevia plant. Researchers found that fruit flies fed with food that
included erythritol or Truvia died much sooner than flies fed with food
containing other types of sweeteners.
Fruit flies usually live between 39 and
51 days. The study found fruit flies that ate the Truvia ingredient erythritol
died in less than a week. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The Dangers Of Erythritol
Erythritol naturally occurs in some
fruits and fermented foods, but the kind that’s being added to food and
beverages today is man-made from GMO cornstarch. Here’s why erythritol is
dangerous to consume:
1.
It Can Cause Gastrointestinal Problems
Erythritol and other sugar alcohols are
known for their link to digestive issues. Some of the most common side effects
of erythritol are unwanted gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea,
gas, cramping, bloating and stomachache.
2. It Can Lead
To Overeating
The sugar
alcohols in artificial sweeteners don’t get processed by your body the way
regular sugar does. When you eat foods containing artificial sweeteners, your
body is not able to metabolize the sugar. This is why
you can end up still feeling hungry after you’ve eaten. The body is unable to
feel full, which can lead to overeating and weight gain.
3. It’s
Genetically Modified
The erythritol
in Truvia is derived from cornstarch which comes from genetically modified
corn. This makes Truvia about 95% genetically modified. Many studies have shown
that GMO’s are dangerous to the body. They have been linked to infertility,
immune problems, accelerated aging, and faulty insulin regulation, among other
problems.
4. It’s Commonly Combined With Artificial Sweeteners
Erythritol is
not as sweet as regular sugar on its own. To add more flavor, it’s often
combined with other questionable artificial sweeteners like aspartame. When
combined with these sweeteners, the product becomes even more health
threatening. Studies have shown that aspartame
can cause serious side effects. They include
anxiety, depression, short-term memory loss, weight gain, fatigue, brain tumors
and more.
Natural Sweeteners
If you use
Truvia or other artificial sweeteners, it’s time to get rid of them. There are
several more
natural ways to sweeten up your coffee or tea without putting your health at risk:
- Agave – Agave has more calories than sugar, but
it’s low on the glycemic index. This makes it a better option that sugar.
The best part is, it’s sweeter than sugar. You only need a small amount to
sweeten your drink.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a low-calorie option to add
just the flavor you need. Add a dash or cinnamon to your coffee or tea to
make your taste buds dance!
- Honey – Honey has some amazing antioxidant benefits. It can give your body an immune system boost!
Images courtesy of David Wolfe.
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