So many of us watch the calories we consume in so many ways, be it by writing in a food diary (ooh, me!) or simply choosing the low-calorie options of many of the foods we eat. But do we ever really stop to think what we're losing (or gaining) when we drop those so-called bad calories?
 |
| I want one now. |
One of my major vices is Coke. A few years ago I made the switch to Coke Zero, given that it's sugar and calorie-free. I often get nagged, however, over the fact that it uses an artificial sweetener, Aspartame, in lieu of high fructose corn syrup. There are a million different articles floating around the interwebs telling us about how bad Aspartame is for you; how it causes cancer and leads to Alzheimers and Parkinsons and a myriad other terrible illnesses and diseases. Scientists claim, however, that there are no actual links between the use of aspartame on a semi-regular basis and an increase in the risk of having any number of those above-mentioned diseases.
 |
| Common sources of Aspartame |
According to this article entitled Artificial Sweeteners: Is Aspartame Safe?, the idea that aspartame is a super-deadly venomous chemical substitute for sugar is simply an internet hoax perpetuated by Betty Martini, founder of the "Mission Possible World Health International". {Can I just pause to add that I think her name is completely hilarious!} The MPWHI has a very specific set of opinions regarding aspartame, MSG, antibiotics, vaccines, and, of-course all natural health supplements. Ms. Martini, herself, claims to have been cured from breast cancer simply by taking various herbal concoctions.
 |
| This made me LOL |
While I don't refute the possibility of being cured of any disease by natural means, I do find it startling that she believes that aspartame is the cause of all cancers, neurological diseases, increasing antibiotic resistant bacteria, and the reason we are all "being embalmed from the inside out" (gross!). But Betty Martini aside, Aspartame is one of the most highly tested food products known to society, in over 90 countries wordwide. The FDA deems that its safety level is clear cut, and that all the symptoms claimed to be causes by aspartame were proven to be false according to a double blind study (both testers and recipients had no idea what they were receiving) only 35% of those who received aspartame had any adverse side-effects (headache, nausea) and 45% of those receiving the placebo reported the same effects. Meaning what exactly? Aspartame is not the killer we all claim it to be and we no longer need to be shamed for our diet soda drinking ways!
 |
| Stevia |
What about Stevia?
Well, Stevia is a plant extract, derived from nature and not a bunch of lab-coat wearing scientists. By and large, anything natural is probably less harmful than any chemically manufactured substance. However, if we're going for weight-loss significance here, there is no markable difference between Stevia and Aspartame aside from price and availability. Oh and taste. That brings me to the next thing.
NEW New Coke
 |
| Taken from Time Magazine article |
When New Coke came around a while back everyone claimed how different it tasted. Taste testers around the world, even now that they are used to it claim that there is a major difference between regular Coke, diet Coke, and Coke Zero. I personally prefer the taste of Coke Zero because it tastes like regular Coke but without all the extra calories. Maybe it's in my head (in fact, it probably is). Coca-Cola is now trying to manufacture a NEW new Coke that includes an alternative natural sweetener, that may in fact by Stevia. The problem so far, according to this article I read this morning entitled "New New Coke" in the online version of Time Magazine, is that the taste of Stevia is difficult to mask in cola drinks. It has so far been used successfully in teas and other soft-drink like beverages, but so far there has been limited success with it in Coke itself. Now that that's all said and done, I'm going to have a Coke Zero.
Note: This blog post was not paid for by Coca-Cola but if they're interested...lol
No comments:
Post a Comment