The Great Splenda Debate
What You Should Know About Splenda Sweetener
Splenda - it's a household brand that we've all become familiar with. It's in diet soda, baked goods and even bottled water. Many think of it as the healthy alternative to sugar, but is Splenda really "healthy" or is it another sugar substitute nightmare waiting to happen? The debate is on...
Reason to Worry
It's not like the American public doesn't have reason to worry. First we were told aspartame was safe. We all know how that turned out. Then there's the whole "who does the FDA really work for" issue going on. Does it protect the American public or the interests of big business? With consumers confused about who to trust, some are worried that the widespread use of Splenda sweetener isn't really a good thing.
What's the Problem?
The way Splenda is advertised, it makes it look like a "natural" and healthy sugar alternative - made from real sugar but without the calories. What more could you want? Critics, however, say that Splenda's chemical makeup has more in common with chlorine than it does actual sugar and that it's going to wreak havoc on the environment since traces of it makes its way past water treatment methods.
Is It Really Dangerous?
So, the question is, is Splenda really dangerous? It's hard to say. We really won't know until it's been used for many years (as in the aspartame issue). Evidence is indicating that there are indeed some negative side effects associated with Splenda, but the jury is still out.
What Should You Do?
First of all, make sure you consume Splenda in moderation. With so many "health" foods containing it nowadays, you need to make sure to read your labels carefully. You may be getting a lot more than you think. Also look into natural sweetener alternatives like stevia. You technically can't buy stevia as a natural sweetener in the United States, but it is sold here as a health supplement and is commonly used as a sweetener overseas. Fruit juice and (get ready for this one) natural sugar are also great sweeteners when used in moderation.