Thank you so much for writing in and sharing your comment, which holds a lot of value.

Having come from a scientific background Mike, I can totally relate to and agree with what you are saying. I know that most scientists will not consider any claim factual, unless it has some research study backing it. And even then, if it does not come within their range of biased normalcy, then it is easily discredited. Examples of this are all around us. So when I first started this web site, I was much more conscious of citing sources for some of the topics, which I was writing about. After a while, it did not interest me to follow study after study, trying to prove a point. I sometimes will still reference something bigger, or new or radical, but it is not my regular routine to do so.

As time went on, and I researched a lot of the research itself, how it is run, how data is interpreted and conclusions are reached, I found out just how biased and misrepresenting a lot of the studies out there are. In fact, what most people call “scientific studies” today are nothing more than conclusions of a biased nature reached based on who funded the study, or personal stakes and gains. I am not saying that every study out there is flawed, but a lot of them are. And so along these lines, sites which support their information with studies, may not always be of a higher value, if not worse for seeming more credible, than sites which do not.

In the end, I do not discredit good, solid research, and am very aware that to make more people, perhaps ones like yourself more happy with my work, I should be citing sources for every piece of information I share.

However, what I have found over the years, is that I am not out to convince anyone of anything. I know what my truths are, what works for me and what can help the majority out there lead more healthier and happier lives. Through this site, my greatest goal is to share what I have learned and spread awareness. I share here my own knowledge and experiences, which have come from my educational background in science and nutrition, as well the almost daily reading and research I do from many other sources, as well from examples from clients and audiences I speak to. In fact, in the about page, from day 1, I have stated that each one of us needs to look further into everything (doesn’t matter who it is coming from), and research everything from multiple sources themselves. As long as we are not fully accountable for ourselves and rely 100% on others, we stand to get hurt. A page with lots of references can look good, but the truth is that 90% or more of the people out there will not look into the quality of those references anyway or understand them, and hence the references themselves can be of flawed or of questionable quality. I think we both know that today, one can find a study to support or oppose pretty much anything. It all depends what one is looking to find or prove.

As for artificial sweeteners, I don’t care if they only cause mild headaches in a small amount of the population, which there are sites, claims and facts upon facts proving much worse, the whole basis of how they were brought into the market and what they stand for is so inherently and morally flawed to simply make money for corporations, who have no consideration for the true health and well being of humanity. So if my tone in this article is a little biased, I will be the first one to agree that yes, I have a biased against any group or corporation which is not acting for the true betterment of humanity, where their health and wellness is concerned. And when you mention that scientific studies would by now pick up any correlations or causation, you assume that they would want to. It is huge money making operation, and too many people have huge stakes in it. This is perhaps one of the biggest reasons, why the FDA has not yet banned something, that was banned to begin with, like aspartame.

So if someone finds something in any of my articles that greatly resonates with them, or shocks them, or repulses them, or which they find unbelievable, my only hope is that it ignites within them a thirst to look further and come to their own conclusions.

I am extremely health conscious, but also acquainted with basic academic standards, and therefore noticed how severely this piece failed to meet them. Sites like WHFood, of which I’m sure you’re aware, follow each claim with the source, often the study, its year, and its publisher. If you, Evita, are interested in being regarded as a valuable and dependable source, uncertain claims need to be conceded as such: uncertain. I am with you – these additives are probably harmful, but probably not in the amount they are consumed. They are consumed on such a wide basis now, scientific studies would pick up on correlations and specify causation. As much as my intuition agrees with you, logic prevails.

Dark molasses are an excellent option. They are packed with nutrients, when they are in their most natural state, like calcium and iron.

I would love to eat them, I just don’t know how people eat them, as to me they taste nothing close to sweet. I have tried making an oriental chili with them before and some pineapple and that turned out good, but only if the molasses were not overdone.

But to sweeten anything with them… I just don’t know how anyone does it? I also tried adding them to a green smoothie once and totally ruined the smoothie. I still drank it though ;) Didn’t want to waste the valuable ingredients, but it sure taught me a lesson.

So now I have 2 bottles sitting in a cupboard until I find out how to use them :)

As for dates, they have become my “sweet” of choice. Especially Medjool dates. They are super healthy, rich in all sorts of nutrients, as well as fiber and they are alkaline forming and they taste awesome!

Of the few raw desserts I make, each one is almost based on dates. And I also use them as a quick sweet snack, usually 1 or 2 a day. It is fun to stuff an almond in them too – the quickest dessert ever and oh so yummy!

Great article.
I used Splenda for a while but quit using it. I wondered if dark molasses is an option.I see that dates are used to add sweetness to milk and smoothies.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your experience with sugar and artificial sweeteners. It is such an interesting thing in terms of how addicting sugar is to our system and the havoc it plays on our health, both physical and emotional.

I highly recommend you check out Dr.Olson’s book “Sugarettes” to help kick the addiction and even his site OlsonND.com as he does a 30 day sugar challenge each January with lots of support for participants.

Stevia is a better choice, especially if it is the whole, natural sweetener, not its extract, but ultimately as I tell and teach people, the key is not to be a slave to any substance, but to be free on every level and still find great peace and happiness.

I wish you the best of success with your journey. I am refined sugar free today (have been for over 2 years) and I cannot tell you how great it feels! Yes, it is possible, and with the right will and support, and a conscious choice, you can be there too :)

Thanks for the great article. This is an excellent summary of artifical sweetners.

I am addicted to sugar and have often turned to artificial sweeteners thinking I was somehow doing something better for my health. First I used aspartame sweeteners then sucralose. I never really enjoyed the taste of these sweetners and as I began to read about the possible health risks I gave them up. I have yet to kick my sugar addiction but I now try to use stevia in place of sugar in my diet. I use the Sweet Leaf brand that has been around for quite a while and not the extract varieties approved by the FDA in 2008. I am hoping that stevia is a safe sweetner but I hope to some day soon get to a place where I no longer need a sweetner in my diet. Thanks again for the great article.

Best,
Tennille

You are welcome and thank you for your comment. There is of course much more here that could have been said. Whole books can be written on the dangers of aspartame alone. That just cannot be done in one article of this nature or size.

Thank you for the information you added and the link, it adds great value to this topic.

I worked for the company Monsanto that brought Aspartame to the market.

You did not mention that in

1965 Aspartame was classified as a biological chemical warfare agent by the pentagon.

The original head of the FDA rejected Aspartame because it cased holes in the brains of mice.

That Monsanto got the head of the FDA fired and replaced him with their own guy who worked for Monsanto and that 6 months later Aspartame was magically approved for the use in all consumable products.

That artificial sweeteners have been linked to many diseases.

Please read the information contained at Dr. Mercola’s site.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/13/Artificial-Sweeteners-More-Dangerous-than-You-Ever-Imagined.aspx

Also google Dangers of Artificial Sweetners to learn more.

Never mind, this “everything in moderation” idea is even a huge line used by so many doctors. And people just say well my doctor told me so, but they don’t question why did your doctor tell you that? Could it be because if you truly took out the items that do not belong in your body you would be too healthy to go see them, and then they would be out of a job…. just something to consider.

I have to tell you, I am very blunt and flat out tell clients about the “zero approach” to certain foods, I may not be their favorite person after that, but I cannot in good conscience ignore what I know. I just feel in society in general we have a hard time hearing the truth, but I really think we need to. And that is ok to me if it falls on deaf ears, but at least they heard another side of the story and perhaps that will make them think a little more about this.

Thanks again – I really enjoyed sharing ideas and experiences with you – the more we talk about these things, the more they can be brought to the attention they really deserve for the best of our health.

Take care :)