We're giving you the sugary scoop on sweeteners!
The Bad:
1. Aspartame
Trying to cut down on calories? Think twice before you reach for a diet soda. Aspartame sweetens various “diet” products on the market; as a result, they taste similar to their caloric counterparts without adding calories to your menu, but come at a jeopardizing cost. The sugar substitute can lead to lead to ear and eye issues, promoting tinnitus (ringing) and vision problems. Meanwhile, aspartame can lead to various neurologic problems, such as dizziness, migraines, and even epileptic seizures. Yikes!
2. Sucralose
Despite their innocent appearance, those seemingly harmless packets of calorie-free sugar are covered with red flags. Sucralose, when metabolized, comes with a bunch of frightening effects that’ll make you think twice before sweetening your coffee with Splenda. It reduces good bacteria in your gut, linking Sucralose to issues like weight gain and obesity. Meanwhile, the sweetener releases toxins, and can alter your insulin responses while making your blood sugar levels go out of whack. Our advice? You’re ultimately better off sticking to the real stuff, despite the extra cals.
3. Corn Syrup
High fructose Corn Syrup won’t stop at adding inches to your waistline; the virtually poisonous sweetener puts you at a risk for a host of dangerous health problems. Corn syrup damages your liver, reducing the organ’s ability to flush out toxins. It also boosts the likelihood of you developing diabetes and high cholesterol. The sweetener sneaks its way into countless everyday grocery items, from yogurt and cereal bars to applesauce and salad dressings. So watch out and read labels!
4. Saccharin
Saccharin ranks high on our list of the worst artificial sweeteners out there. The sugar substitute might spare you calories, but at a dangerous cost. Saccharin can induce reactions such as headaches, diarrhea, and skin issues. But it can also contribute to more serious problems like bladder cancer. And if you think its calorie-free profile will help you trim and slim, think again! The sweetener actually promotes fat storage, while stimulating the appetite and inviting cravings. Keep your distance from this one!
If you let your sweet tooth get the best of you more often than not, you’re probably dealing with a sugar addiction! Luckily, beating the addiction is easier than you think. Take these 8 Steps to Beat Sugar Addiction, and your cravings for all things sweet will soon subside. We promise!
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