Sugary soft drinks - Just say "NO" if you can!

[Maria]

Recently, the news mentioned that some of the soda producers are going to start using Splenda® to replace the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in their colas.

Splenda® has been used in both bagels, pastries, and juices as an artificial sweetener.
For example, Jamba Juice uses Splenda® in many of the juices on their menu, while Western Bagel uses Splenda® to sweeten their bagels. Both companies state that their food is good, natural, and wholesome.

However, Splenda® is not a natural sweetener at all.

• Just like chlorine kills off micro-organisms in swimming pools, Splenda® and sucralose kill off healthy bacteria that lives in your gut -- healthy bacteria that is VITALLY important to virtually every aspect of your health.

  Recently, a study at the University of Duke confirmed this very finding. Not only is sucralose a heavily-processed, chemical artificial sweetener, but it's also damaging to your gut health, which goes on to affect every other aspect of your health.

http://www.icontact-archive.com/DVyT1yq ... ogIgHs?w=4

So, is Splenda® an improvement over the use of aspartame?
Not really. Both are produced by chemical/drug companies.
And like Monsanto's GMOs little research has been published about the side effects of these artificial sweeteners.
It is buyer beware.

[JamesR]

On a somewhat related note, is Truvia a good sugar alternative? My mother purchased it a few days ago and I don't know if I should use it or not.

[Maria]

Good question, James.

Did you do a google search?

[StephenS]

Honey is both natural and sweet. Truvia has not around long enough for any long term trials on consumption by humans. My dentist recommends either no sweeteners or honey.

[jgress]

My very close friend at St Markella's is kind of addicted to Pepsi, and I remember being around when one of our priests (a wonderful, wonderful man and priest) sternly rebuked him for it, saying "do you know how many packets of sugar go into each one? i never ever ever want to see you drinking those again!"

I'm not sure if this worked or what happened, but it was entertaining and edifying at the same time.

[Maria]

My very close friend at St Markella's is kind of addicted to Pepsi, and I remember being around when one of our priests (a wonderful, wonderful man and priest) sternly rebuked him for it, saying "do you know how many packets of sugar go into each one? i never ever ever want to see you drinking those again!"

I'm not sure if this worked or what happened, but it was entertaining and edifying at the same time.

I am sure it was also very embarrassing for your friend who was at the receiving end.

Here is another story concerning Pepsi:

Once after quickly polishing off a liter of Pepsi, one of my younger brothers suddenly noticed his girl friend standing at the top of a flight of stairs at the college he was attending. Even though it was an extremely hot and humid day in May, my brother dashed up those stairs to greet her, and just as he embraced her while dripping with sweat, he let out a huge long and loud burp. She was so horrified and humiliated that they split company at that very moment, never to date again.