Dr Oz: Sugar Substitutes
Are sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners bad for you? Dr Oz fans know that he is wary of these products, in part because they are sweeter than sugar itself and can ramp up unwanted cravings. Dr Oz got to the truth about Sugar Substitutes, including Aspartame, Saccharin, and Sucralose. He also shared a Diet Soda Split Recipe.
To help him explain all this, Dr Oz invited Dr Keri Peterson, an internist, to share her insights. You probably already know that overdoing it on sugar can be hazardous to your health. But how do the pink, yellow, and blue packets affect your body?
Dr Peterson said that the major concern behind these artificial sweeteners is that they were created in a lab and don’t come from nature. But what is the impact on your body? Whether we realize it or not, Americans consume huge amounts of these sweeteners annually, and they’re sometimes snuck into packaged foods.
Dr Oz Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame
Artificial Sweeteners are an alternative to sugar, but are they safe? Find out the health risks and whether they cause cancer.
Aspartame comes in blue packets, and is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Dr Oz Artificial Sweeteners: Saccharin
These are the pink packets, and they’ve been around since the 1870s, giving them the longest tenure of any artificial sweetener. These are about 300 times sweeter than sugar. In the 1900s, food companies began using them as a cheaper sugar alternative in processed food.
Dr Oz Artificial Sweeteners: Sucralose
Sucralose comes in a yellow packet, and it is 600 times sweeter than Sugar. Though it was first derived in the mid-1970s, it was not FDA approved until 1998. This is the product Dr Peterson uses (me too; no wonder my morning coffee always tastes so sweet).
Do Artificial Sweeteners Cause Cancer?
Should you be concerned that artificial sweeteners cause cancer? Dr Peterson doesn’t believe so, saying there isn’t much evidence to go on, although Saccharin was linked to cancer in animal testing several years ago. They’re no longer on a list of Carcinogens, which is why the packages don’t have warnings.
Artificial Sweeteners Brain Damage
Do these types of sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners cause brain damage? Dr PEterson said there is no evidence that they have any impact on learning processes or brain behavior.
Sugar Substitutes Weight Gain
The real consequence of these products is often weight gain, which is ironic since they’re used in many diet drinks. This happens because the sweet taste can fuel your cravings and cause you to overindulge on other foods and treats. Dr Oz said he is concerned about this problem.
Dr Oz Sweeteners: Stevia
Dr Oz recommended Stevia, a calorie-free, natural sweetener that comes in green packets. He advised against drinking diet soda.
Dr Oz: Diet Soda Split Recipe
Dr Oz must know it’s not easy to give up soda. He shared his Diet Soda Split Recipe to help wean us off the hard stuff (diet soda, that is).
Just mix equal parts Diet Soda and Seltzer Water. This lowers your consumption of sugar substitutes as well as calories.
Dr Oz also suggested options like Chia Seed and ground Flaxseed to help manage cravings. He said you should check the ingredients on favorite foods and ensure that Aspartame, Saccharin, and Sucralose are near the bottom of the ingredients, if they’re listed at all. That way you can avoid overdoing it.
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