While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar," one competitor argues that this statement is nothing short of false advertising.
In fact, this rival, Equal manufacturer Merisant Co., has filed a lawsuit against Splenda stating the advertisement should read something a little more like, "made from dextrose, maltodextrin and 4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha, D-Galactopyranosyl-1, 6-dichloro-1, 6-dideoxy-beta, D-fructofuranoside." Merisant further disputed that the Splenda marketing company, McNeil Nutritionals (a division of Johnson & Johnson), has misled consumers and deceived them into believing that the no-calorie artificial sweetener is "natural," or made from raw sugar.
The lawsuit also stated:
* Splenda is not natural in any way
* Splenda is sweetened with a synthetic compound that is the result of a complex chemical process
However, a McNeil Nutritionals spokeswoman defended the Splenda marketing, saying that the lawsuit against them had no merit and that consumers were never misled. She also persisted that Splenda is made from sugar -- sucralose (key ingredient of Splenda) begins inside a pure cane sugar, which is then chemically altered during manufacturing to create a compound that does not have any calories.
ABC News December 1, 2004
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
Talk about the proverbial "pot calling the kettle black!" Though I must say, it's no wonder why Merisant is going after McNeil: Splenda sales have soared way past Equal since it was introduced in the United States some four years ago. But I do find it quite odd that the manufacturer of an artificial sweetener whose primary toxic ingredient is aspartame (a.k.a. Equal) is suing another manufacturer of an equally artificial sweetener with the equally toxic sucralose (a.k.a. Splenda).
Therefore, isn't this REALLY a battle between who is the lesser of the two evils? Well, as far as I'm concerned, they are equally dangerous, equally misleading and equally detrimental to your health.
Let's take aspartame (the key to Equal and Nutrasweet) for starters. Research has found that the components of this deadly ingredient may lead to a wide variety of ailments including:
* Epilepsy/seizures
* Migraines and headaches
* Depression
* Brain tumors
* Autoimmune diseases
However, Splenda is not a day at the beach either, as research in animals has shown that consuming sucralose comes hand in hand with a plethora of health problems including:
* Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40 percent shrinkage)
* Enlarged liver and kidneys
* Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus
* Reduced growth rate
* Decreased red blood cell count
* Extension of the pregnancy period
* Aborted pregnancy
* Diarrhea
For these many, many reasons it is wise to avoid artificial sweeteners. In addition, eating too much REAL sugar will also adversely affect your health, as it will cause your blood sugar level to rise. If your blood sugar levels remain elevated (even mildly) over a period of time, your risk of diabetes will increase, which will increase your risk of cancer.
Therefore, to satisfy those sweet cravings of yours to devour cookies, candies and sweets this holiday season (and always), I have a perfect solution for you! Instead of giving in to temptation, satisfy your sweet tooth NATURALLY with stevia -- a healthy alternative to sugar.
Unlike aspartame, suclarose and other artificial sweeteners that have been cited for dangerous toxicities, stevia is a natural alternative that's ideal for diabetics, those watching their weight and anyone interested in maintaining their health. Stevia can be used in appetizers, beverages, soups, salads, vegetables, desserts -- virtually anything! It is, hands down, the best alternative to sugar you will ever taste.
Also, I highly recommend reading my review of the best video on the market on the subject of aspartame. In a short 90 minutes, this video will open your eyes up to the dangers of this perilous neurotoxin that should NOT BE CONSUMED BY ANYONE.
-------------------
Dr. Joseph Mercola
Author of Total Health Program
Founder of the renowned Optimal Wellness Center
http://www.Mercola.com - The #1 Natural Health Site on the Internet!
Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer... Read More
Detoxifying the body has become an apparent key preventative measure... Read More
You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are... Read More
In the last twenty years, a huge and growing body... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
They're not only good for you, but they taste good,... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts... Read More
Nutrition has everything to do with health. This isn't news,... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
You can eat whole flax seeds but you need to... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
executive chauffeured services Atlanta ...Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entr?e or soup to... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
How is it that we can't seem to think that... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed... Read More
Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed... Read More
Initially discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
DIETARY SOURCES OF GLUTATHIONE: Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant and... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Nutrition Nutrition |