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Monday, October 1, 2007

More on Stevia


Part One: I love stevia. I usually use about half a packet for my tea, because its supersweet. Everyone on Mothering.com forums use stevia during pregnancy.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=597737&highlight=stevia

Comment on Stevia from the mothering.com forums
:
Actually, different brands taste different. Some brands are bitter, some taste very "green", almost like grassy, and then some don't. One of the easiest tests is to stir a little bit (it's usually VERY concentrated sweetness) into a glass of water or tea, adding more until you either get the sweetness you want or can't stand the taste, to see if you like that brand. It also keeps you from ruining more than just that cup.


Part Two: Whole Foods Market has their own brand. I haven't decided where I am going to buy it normally - I thought I would look up prices on the internet, because organic type stuff is usually cheaper on the internet. I think I like NuNaturals brand the best though.
Anyway, here is research I have already done on Stevia.
Part 3: Stevia is also a sweetener that is very nutritious and much better for you than sugar.
http://www.steviainfo.com/?page=news_detail&id=21

Part 4: Links to the Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners
The dangers of artificial sweeteners:
Interesting article that sums it all up in a nutshell:
Dangers in aspartame
Aspartame, the main ingredient in Equal and NutraSweet, is responsible for the most serious cases of poisoning, because the body actually digests it. Aspartame should be avoided by most women, but particularly in those with neuropsychiatric concerns. Recent studies in Europe show that aspartame use can result in an accumulation of formaldehyde in the brain, which can damage your central nervous system and immune system and cause genetic trauma. The FDA admits this is true, but claims the amount is low enough in most that it shouldn’t raise concern. I think any amount of formaldehyde in your brain is too much.
Aspartame has had the most complaints of any food additive available to the public. It’s been linked with MS, lupus, fibromyalgia and other central nervous disorders. Possible side effects of aspartame include headaches, migraines, panic attacks, dizziness, irritability, nausea, intestinal discomfort, skin rash, and nervousness. Some researchers have linked aspartame with depression and manic episodes. It may also contribute to male infertility.
Saccharin
Saccharin, the first widely available chemical sweetener, is hardly mentioned any more. Better-tasting NutraSweet took its place in almost every diet soda, but saccharin is still an ingredient in some prepared foods, gum, and over-the-counter medicines. Remember those carcinogen warnings on the side of products that contained saccharin? They no longer appear because industry testing showed that saccharin only caused bladder cancer in rats. Most researchers agree that in sufficient doses, saccharin is carcinogenic in humans. The question is, how do you know how much artificial sweetners your individual body can tolerate?







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