The Dangers of Sugar - And Some Alternatives. Awaiting revision 2007 In a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) survey it was revealed that the average American consumes the equivalent of 160 pounds of sugar a year - a 30% increase since the early 1980s. That's the approximate equivalent of 53 heaped teaspoons of sugar per person per day!Early growth industry Sugar is relatively new to the western world, being first introduced by the Crusaders returning from their journeys, in the 11th Century. The first record of sugar in England was in 1099, when it was a very expensive luxury. To give you an idea, 320 years later when sugar was much cheaper, it was selling in London at 2 shillings per pound (today's equivalent of $100 per kilo). When Columbus sailed to the Americas in 1493 it is recorded that he took sugar cane plants with him to grow in the New World. The plants thrived in the climate and the sugar cane industry grew. British governments could see the huge profits that could be made from sugar, and they taxed it heavily. In 1781 sugar tax totalled £326,000. By 1815 the total was £3,000,000. The abolition of this tax in 1874 by Prime Minister Gladstone, meant that sugar suddenly became more affordable to the general public.
Some of the dangers of consuming refined sugar are well known - tooth decay and obesity - but sugar can also suppress the immune system, and upset the body's mineral balance. It can reduce helpful high-density cholesterol (HDLs) and promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs). Sugar can cause hypoglycaemia, hormonal imbalance, varicose veins, food allergies, hypertension and depression. Sugar is also addictive; it can cause cravings for more food, particularly sweet food, leading to over-eating. The Alternative? Most slimmers will be aware of aspartame - an artificial sweetener found in nearly all 'diet' drinks, yogurts, low calorie puddings... In fact, any sweet food or drink product that claims it is 'sugar-free' or 'low calorie' is likely to contain aspartame. The demand for such foods is huge. To dieters (and to the companies who manufacture these products) aspartame must seem like a godsend. In fact aspartame is seen by many as a dangerous, unstable chemical compound. Dubious history Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965 by a scientist working on a drug for peptic ulcers, for the US pharmaceutical company G D Searle. It was approved as a sweetener by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in July 1974. The approval was revoked in December the same year because of objections - tests showed 'lab' rats being given aspartame developed brain tumours. In response to the concerns raised the FDA set up a public board of inquiry (PBOI). In October 1980 the PBOI unanimously recommended that aspartame should not be approved until additional studies were performed to establish whether or not a relationship existed between the ingestion of aspartame and brain tumours. In 1981, however, and before any further tests, the newly appointed FDA Commissioner, Arthur Hull Hayes, overruled the PBOI and approved aspartame for use in dry foods. In 1983 aspartame received approval for use in beverages. Hayes soon left the FDA to take his place as paid consultant with Searle's public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.
Aspartame is made of three compounds:
In fact, Stevia has been used around the world for at least 1500 years with no reported side-effects, yet it has not been approved as a food additive in the US because "We don't have enough data to conclude that the use [in food] would be safe," (quoted from an agency position paper). (Aspartame, on the other hand, is a constant source of complaint. A former FDA investigator admits that approximately 75 percent of all the 'adverse reaction' complaints the FDA receives are related to aspartame!) There will be no race to test Stevia for approval while there is big money to be made from chemical substances such as aspartame because being a natural substance Stevia can't be patented by the huge pharmaceutical corporations. Though not yet approved in the US as a food additive, Stevia can be sold, and consumed, as a 'dietary supplement'. In what way the FDA can justify how a natural food substance is safe as a supplement but unsafe as an additive is puzzling. Stevia in the UK? In the UK it is not possible to buy stevia from shops or other suppliers. The EU have totally banned sales and use of stevia for any purpose. So, in the EU the choice seems to be between the empty calories of sugar and the chemical toxins of aspartame. Luckily, you can order stevia over the internet from several companies. Ones that will ship to the UK (from the US) include: www.stevianow.com/steviastore/Default.htm www.steviva.com Shipping is charged at cost and delivery is fast. www.HerbalAdvantage.com $81 for one pound of 100% pure Stevia extract powder (some companies add Malto-Dextrin - a sugar!). A Special Offer for readers of Alternative HealthZine - Order one pound of Stevia extract powder for $81 and pay no shipping, packaging or insurance!
If you are looking for a healthy (and readily available) alternative to refined sugar and chemical sweeteners, one of the best is blackstrap molasses. This contains calcium, iron, and B vitamins, and it has about a quarter of the calories of refined sugar. But the best source of sweetness must come from fruit. There are so many varieties of sweet fruits - enough to satisfy the sweetest tooth. With fruits and vegetables making up about 80% of your diet (in an ideal world) you should get all the sweetness you need naturally with no additives. Other links: dangers of refined sugar: www.hps-online.com/foodprof1.htm questions and answers: canceranswer.homestead.com/SugarBlues.html ------------------------- 4 Recommended Detox Methods Many approaches to detox can work. Often, it is just a case of which approach suits you - so you can follow it right through. Here are 4 approaches which have been carefully thought out. 1. Herbal 90-day Detox Diet Programme This programme consists of unique herbal products for the three main detox organs: the Colon, the Liver and the Kidneys, as well as a Detox Tea. The products for the 3 main detox organs are available either in Capsules or as Drops, as you prefer. (Both are just a good - Drops are cheaper.) This programme lasts 3 months, which is a good length of time. You also get unlimited free support by phone and email. You can choose to spread the cost over 3 months if you wish. This reputable company has been in business since 1982. ** UNLIMITED MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE WITH THIS PRODUCT ** 2. Dr Janet Hull's Detoxification Kit. A 'ten step detox programme'. Dr Janet Hull cured herself after being 'written off' by doctors. This comprehensive 6-week detox is the result of her experiences. There is a 90-day conditional money-back guarantee with this kit. 3. 12 Steps to a Complete Body Detox. A complete approach to detox, by Calvin Newstead. Calvin applied detox principles to himself with tremendous success, then left a 20-year career to promote his detox approach. You get the 12 steps book, and valuable information about acid/alkaline balance, candida, gluten, and other topics. You are entitled to free lifetime updates. There is an 8-week unconditional money back guarantee. This is a book detailing many well-established detox methods founded on naturopathic principles of old; including exercise, breathing, diet, skin brushing and 'water cure'. These have been used by successful naturopaths for centuries. There is a 60-day unconditional money-back guarantee. |
