Natural sweeteners vs artificial sweeteners

Today, many people are getting more concerned about their diet – about the chemicals (like additives) found in the foods they eat… about the advantages of eating natural foods… and about cutting back on artificial food substitutes. No wonder, the potential health risks suspected to be caused by the consumption of aspartame, an artificial sweetener continue to bother many consumers. Despite the fact that aspartame is considered to be a safe food additive by governments worldwide (like the US Food and Drug Administration) and major health and food safety organizations if consumption is below the ADI (acceptable daily intake) of 40mg/kg bw/day.

An Internet report defines artificial sweeteners and sweeteners as: “Artificial sweeteners are substances (food additives) that are used in place of sweeteners with sugar (sucrose or sugar alcohols). Artificial sweeteners are also called sugar substitutes, nonnutritive sweeteners or noncaloric sweeteners. On the other hand, sweeteners are substances used to improve the palatability and shelf life of food products. Sugars occur naturally in many plant foods; we get most common sweeteners by processing these plants (such as agave cacti, maple trees, sugar-cane, coconut palms, sugar beets and corn) to extract and condense the sugars. (References: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/ article/007492.htm and http://www. precisionnutrition.com/all-aboutnatural-sweeteners respectively)

•••• Let me share with you some information about coconut sugar/ syrup (one of the most popular natural sweeteners in the market today and about aspartame (one of the leading artificial sweeteners) which are taken from Internet reports and other printed publications:

Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made of 100% all-natural sweet watery sap from cut flower buds of fresh coconuts. It is a healthy substitute to other sugar or sweeteners. Coconut sugar is natural, unrefined and concentrated, hence loaded with nutrients, especially minerals. Coconut sugar is also considered the single most sustainable sweetener in the world. This is according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the World Bank.

On the other hand, aspartame, an artificial sweetener is found in thousands of different brands of different kinds of products, though it contains no calories.

•••• The main advantages and differences of coconut sugar/syrup vis-à-vis cane sugar/syrup and other artificial sweeteners are as follows:

1. Coconut sugar is a wonderful, nutrient-dense natural sweetener. According to the test results conducted by the research team of Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad, Scientist II of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines, the glycemic index of coconut sugar obtained from the sap of the coconut is 35 to 42. The low glycemic index is good for the proper control and management of diabetes mellitus and has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol. It is reportedly good for weight maintenance and prevents overweight and obesity;

2. Coconut sugar/syrup has more vitamins, minerals, amino acid content compared with cane sugars (white sugar, brown sugar, muscovado, demarara, turbinado) and is nutritionally superior as compared with other types of commercial sugar/ sweeteners, especially compared with artificial/synthetic sweeteners;

3. Coconut syrup/sugar contains inulin (FOS) and inositol (anti-cancer, anti-depression, anti-diabetic, etc.) but cane sugar and “other sweeteners” do not contain these two which are beneficial for health;

4. Coconut sugar/syrup is a whole food and is minimally processed, has no additives, no preservatives, no synthetic adulterants as compared with chemical-based and laboratory-made sweeteners. Also, coconut sugar/syrup is a sustainable product and helps protect the environment as compared with the production of other commercial sweeteners/sugars.

•••• Here are some information about aspartame:

1. Aspartame – a white odorless powder approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar is an artificial sweetener (sugar substitute) found in thousands of different brands of different kinds of products like: Soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, tabletop sweeteners, cereals made of processed grains, frozen and gelatin desserts, juice beverages, multivitamins, milk drinks, tea/coffee beverages, pharmaceuticals and supplements including over-the-counter medicines, breath mints, instant breakfasts, cocoa mixes;

2. Aspartame was discovered way back in 1965 by a chemist named James M. Schlatter, who while developing an anti-ulcer drug… accidentally licked some from his finger and found it to be sweet tasting;

3. The ingredients (breakdown products) in aspartame are phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methyl alcohol (10%);

4. Methyl alcohol, also known as “wood” alcohol breaks down in the body to formaldehyde and DKP (diketopiperazine). Formaldehyde is an embalming solution and highly toxic to the central nervous system. Methyl alcohol causes blindness and if the dose is big, it may result in liver and kidney failure. DKP is a known carcinogen and may cause brain tumors;

5. Aspartame is 50% phenylalanine. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are excitotoxin (bad for our health) if taken in high concentration and are very toxic to the central nervous system and cause headache, mental confusion, and memory loss, balance problems, and seizures. It has been reported that cancer cannot live without phenylalanine;

6. Aspartic acid can cause endocrine (hormone) disorders and vision problems. Hyperactivity, too, is triggered by aspartic acid and therefore should be avoided by pregnant women. Aspartic acid which makes up 40% of aspartame causes headache/migraines, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, visual problems, anxiety attacks, depression, and asthma/chest tightness;

7. The phrase “enhanced flavors or spices” appearing in labels on food items should alert the public that the substance aspartame may be included in the food. Meaning that the public should not only be on the look-out for the phrases “No sugar” or “sugar-free” but also for the phrase “enhanced flavors or spices;”

8. Despite the assurance of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and by other world governments and consumer organizations that if the consumption of aspartame is below the normal doses (acceptable daily intake – ADI is 40mg/ kg bw/day) it is safe for use – there are now many documented cases and testimonials of aspartame victims worldwide on the dangers of aspartame poisoning. So far, research has revealed that aspartame is the common denominator for over 92 different health symptoms;

9. Finally, aspartame is found in many food substances that we buy and consume everyday. The critics of the use of aspartame warn that diabetics and obese people who take aspartame to replace sugar may be exposed to more health problems by taking aspartame without their realizing it until it is too late.

Have a joyful day! (For comments/ reactions please send to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com).