Splenda, investigation on how an artificial sweetener could be natural

[Guest guest]

Splendaby author Sandra Tonn, RHN http://www.alive.com/4401a12a2.php With increasing awareness about the dangers of chemical sugar substitutes such as aspartame, consumers are searching for a replacement.“What about Splenda?” they ask me, hoping to receive some assurance from a nutritionist that they can enjoy their sweets without calories or adverse health effects. They eagerly insist, “It’s made from sugar, so it’s natural,” and wait for permission to indulge.Just Add ChlorineI wondered how an artificial sweetener could be natural and decided to investigate. The patented multi-step process starts with cane sugar. Three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule (sucrose) are replaced with three chlorine atoms, resulting in an artificial compound that is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar. This compound, which was named sucralose, is chemically stable and, therefore, stands up to high temperatures without losing its taste. It is gaining popularity with both manufacturers and consumers.So sucralose is made with sugar, but the finished product is not natural. In fact, the reason it has no calories is because it is not a sugar. Why, then, do many consumers have the impression that it is natural? And does this impression bring with it an assumption of safety? Such questions have spurred a rash of criticism and lawsuits against the makers of sucralose, McNeil Nutritionals.“Made From Sugar, so It Tastes Like Sugar”Joe Schwarcz, Director of the McGill University Office for Chemistry and Society in Montreal, is an authority on artificial sweeteners and maintains that sucralose is safe. His only criticism about sucralose is its marketing approach which associates the artificial sweetener with sugar. Schwarcz told the Montreal Gazette that “sucralose is different from sugar. Incorporation of three chlorine atoms into the sugar molecule converts it into a totally new substance.”The Texas Consumer Association, an Austin-based watchdog group, contends that by using the word “sugar” in ads and on packaging, McNeil is trying to link their product with sugar in the minds of consumers to convince them that sucralose is more natural than other sweeteners.The Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) commissioned a US Internet survey in April 2004 to find out how consumers perceive Splenda. The survey, which included 426 Splenda users, showed that only eight percent knew the sweetener was made from sugar and chlorine. While 57 percent of Splenda users correctly believed that it was an artificial sweetener, 47 percent of users incorrectly believed Splenda was a natural product.CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson, who, with a number of consumer groups, is encouraging an investigation, says, “Splenda’s artificiality may present a marketing challenge, but that’s not an excuse to confuse consumers and lead them to believe that Splenda is natural or in any way related to sugar.”While the CSPI criticizes McNeil’s advertising campaign, it also considers Splenda to be safe. However, CSPI also says aspartame is “probably safe,” while some consumer-advocate groups consider it decidedly unsafe.Thus far, three state consumer class action lawsuits and two independent federal suits have been filed citing false advertising and the misleading of consumers. The first to file suit was Merisant Worldwide Inc., the makers of the low-calorie sweetener Equal. The second federal suit was filed by The Sugar Association, a trade organization that represents the US sugar-cane and sugar-beet industries.Merisant’s lawsuit states, “Splenda is not natural in any sense of the word.” James Murphy, counsel for The Sugar Association, says, “[McNeil Nutritional] is misinforming consumers about the reality of the chlorinate product Splenda.” Both parties point an accusing finger at McNeil’s Splenda ad campaign slogan: “Made with sugar, so it tastes like sugar.”Sour Industry WarLan Lai-Minh, Director of Commun-ications for McNeil Consumer Health-care at the Canadian headquarters in Guelph, Ontario, said in a telephone interview, “Nowhere do we say that Splenda is natural.”1 2 3 Next Page >>> Sandra Tonn, RHN, is a registered holistic nutritionist and freelance writer. www.sandratonn.com. Source: alive #282, April 2006The Fruit of the VineKnown as the '"nectar of the Gods," wine has heen a staple in many European diets for years and has become increasingly popular here in North America as well. Not only are more people pulling the corks out of red wine and sipping happily, but they are sharing in the health benefits as well.Good Sugars, Bad SugarsOur society’s collective sweet tooth is an adaptive response. It goes back to caveman days and it’s what encourages us to eat foods that are high in energy and nutrients.Home-Cooking Thai-StyleThere’s a misconception that Thai food is just a colorful name for "spicy Chinese." The cuisine was indeed influenced originally by the Eastern culture, adopting its tendencies of blending the contrasting tastes of sweet, sour, bitter and salty.A Bite of Sweet IndulgenceNothing beats the sweet sensation of chocolate tantalizing your tastebuds. However, we all know the dangers of too much processed white sugar.Get the Sugar Out for a Healthy HolidaySugar has been blamed for nearly every known disease and even for the fall of several empires. Those accusations may sound like exaggerations, but they are probably closer to the truth than you realize. Saying sugar is bad for you is the ultimate understatement.Cut to the MustardPicture a solitary burger patty (veggie or otherwise) sitting naked on a bun. Somehow, it doesn’t seem complete. Where’s the pizzazz? Where’s the zip? Condiments add excitement to many of our favourite foods.Sweetening Power of HoneyHoney is known to be very sweet, however, you may be surprised by the relative bitterness of some honeys. The sweetening power of honey is determined by its sugar composition and the rate of dilution.Unrefined TastesSugar refining refers to a process by which the juice of sugar cane or sugar beets is separated into white sugar and molasses, thereby removing important minerals such as iron, calcium, and chromium.The Original DietThe last 80 to 100 years have ushered in a drastically different style of eating in comparison to the diets of our grandparents, and their grandparents before them. No longer are our food sources home and community-based. We have become global eaters, consumers of mass-marketed, highly refined and processed "foods.Links to HealthHippocrates, the Father of Medicine, set a medical precedent in considering the role of nutritients in relation to health and disease. 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This requires a healthy diet that combines fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and good fats..Nutritional Consultants Change LivesInterest in nutrition has never been higher or more relevant than it is today, and with good reason. Epidemic rates of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease are just a few of the conditions motivating many to seek advice about preventing and treating these modern-day disorders.Integrative MedicineRecently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Andrew Weil, a pioneer and world-renowned leader in the field of integrative medicine. After teaching and writing about natural and preventive medicine for over 35 years, Dr. Weil provides a unique approach to health care, which encompasses body, mind, and spirit.Nutritional YeastYeasts are a group of microscopic single-celled fungi, relatives of the mushroom. More than 100 different species are known. Nutritional yeasts can be used as condiments and supplements. They are rich in B vitamins.It's a Sweet, Sweet WorldIt is widely accepted among medical professionals that high consumption of sugar overstimulates the pancreas and adrenal glands. Extended over a long period of time, this may contribute to hypoglycemia, behavioral problems in kids, fatigue, fluctuating blood sugar levels and mood swings, diabetes and obesity.Restore Your Body's BalanceThink of your body as its own ecosystem. Like the larger ecosystem of a rainforest, for example, all the elements must be in exquisite balance for every part to function at its best. If one element is out of balance, it throws off the entire system.ExcitotoxinsMany foods are laced with additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartate (a component of NutraSweet) and because these chemicals are taste enhancers, diet and vegetarian foods are particularly targeted.Community Salute to CroftMuch has changed within the Canadian health food industry in the past 30 years. Croft Woodruff has seen it all through the windows of his vitamin shop, Croft's Health Products, in Vancouver, BC.Go Mad for MushroomsThe word fungus often brings to mind the fuzz on stale bread and mildew in the shower. Farmers know fungi can devastate such food crops as corn, rice, wheat and rye. But some types are both delicious and healing, valued for centuries as tonics throughout the world. Natural SupplementsWhen you take a drug or natural supplement, you sometimes have the choice of the form. Should you take a solid (capsule, tablet, etc.) or a liquid? Solid preparations have become the mainstay in both the health supplement and the pharmaceutical industries. They offer a precise dosage, are stable, easy to carry and practical. Introducing alive Around the WorldAt alive, it is our goal and privilege to bring you up-to-date research and information on health and wellness to improve the quality of your lives. 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In combination with a positive attitude and physical activity, nutritional status impacts energy levels, moods, mental ability, immunity, and aging.Creating Health Benefits with CreatineCreatine is a nutrient that can offer myriad benefits to almost everyone, especially those of us who are interested in maintaining an effective metabolism as we age.Supplementing 101To supplement your child with a multivitamin or not to supplement, that is the question. The necessity of adding a daily multivitamin to your child’s diet is a hotly debated topic. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, giving a child a daily multivitamin is only necessary...Food for ThoughtThe brain needs intensive nutritional support. Junk food and high-calorie snacks must be replaced with nutrient-dense meals and appropriate supplements. Use well-researched natural health products as an excellent, drug-free way to stay mentally sharp and energetic throughout the day.Hard to SwallowAs a kid, I couldn’t swallow pills. My mother would have to get liquid versions of any medicines I needed, or crush pills into a teaspoon of jam. She’d be so proud if she could see me now, knocking back supplements the size of exotic beetles with barely a sip of water.From Pasture to PlateCatch up with Doe Gregoire at the farmers’ market in Cawston, BC, and this spunky pioneer in organics can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about her apples.The Yuck FactorSupertasters have the TAS2R38 gene and twice as many fungiform papillae on their tongues (on whose sides taste receptors are located) than the average person. There is hope in the laboratory to help supertasters enjoy healthy vegetables.Too Much of a Good ThingI have a confession to make: I’ve never been one for moderation. 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