Is there a natural alternative to Sugar? Yes - Stevia is a natural sugar alternative.
Stevia is a natural, sweet-tasting, non-toxic plant that has no calories, lowers blood pressure and inhibits fat
absorption. It is diabetic-safe as it does not adversely affect blood sugar. It is heat stable to 200 degrees
Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) so is safe for use in cooking and can be added to hot drinks. It is said to be
10-40 times sweeter than sugar and can be bought in both powder and liquid form.
Japan has been using stevia instead of sugar to sweeten many food products, such as ice cream, bread, candies,
pickles, soft drinks and chewing gum, since the mid 1970s. By the late 1980s, stevia represented approximately 41
percent of the market share of potently sweet products consumed in Japan.
Other countries using Stevia today include Thailand,
China, South Korea, Paraguay and Brazil.
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!
Life is Sweet 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
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DETOX will help to build the body
2 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 2 approaches which have been carefully thought out.
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.
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.
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