This week, I shall continue with the remaining sweeteners in order to help you make the best choice for your health. However, the true best choice is to wean yourself of sugar cravings, sweeteners and sweet tasting foods in order to remain healthy and well. Here we start.

though feared, is milder and “less harmful” than all of the above artificial or isolated sweeteners, which we have seen in last week’s article. But, that does not mean that sugar is healthy in its pure refined form. Scientific evidence indicates that there is a direct correlation between high sugar consumption and weight gain, obesity and metabolic syndromes such as diabetes Type 2, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and more.

One can of cola contains between 10 to 12 spoons or lumps of sugar. Such excessive amounts lead to insulin spikes and sugar crashes (hyperglycemia), making the victim demand for more sugar for energy. This yo-yo effect is stressful to the system. Moreover, yeast conditions and cancer cells feast and prosper on pure sugar. Modern diets of refined sugar and carbohydrates result in depleted immune systems, yeast conditions, obesity, diabetes Type 2 and hyperactivity in children. Children and adults in developed countries have never been fatter than with modern diets of refined sugar and carbohydrates and fried and processed foods.

is very high in sweetness and low in calorie and it is NOT AN ISOLATE. Fortunately for diabetics and dieters, the pulverized green leaf can be used as a sugar substitute. It is available in health stores in the US and online. The leaves of the plant are reduced to a green powder and used as a sweetener. Tiny amounts are sufficient to sweeten a drink, but in moderation. Recently, stevia manufacturers have been refining the green leaf to make it into a more appealing processed white powder or syrup, which drifts away from the natural green plant. Some people reject the natural form of the leaf, complaining of an aftertaste. It also has another snag; it does not easily dissolve.

has finally become widely accepted as a safe sugar substitute when only in the 1990s, the American Food and Drug Administration was threatening the plant’s manufacturers of arrest. Unfortunately, not many studies have been performed on the green plant, because there is not much profit made from natural products. Big money usually comes from long-term patents like in the case of aspartame, statins and other expensive drugs. By the way, most researches on sugar substitutes and drugs are financed by the drug industry. Their study results are mostly in favor of their products; therefore they cannot be trusted. It is important to check who subsidizes the study or to look for flaws in such a study.

is another plant, native of the tropical forests of India. The herb has been used by Indians to treat diabetes. Unfortunately, this herb too did not undergo enough clinical trials to support its safety. In the few studies done, it has been shown to lower blood sugar levels for extended hours. Because it diminishes sugar flavor in the mouth, it also reduces sugar cravings. Isolated glycosides, known as gymnemic acids in the plant, have demonstrated anti-sweet activity in the system. Its best form is the extract from the leaf.

is a low-glycemic (it does not elevate insulin) sweetener made from the juice of the bulbous roots of the agave, a desert plant similar to the aloe. The nectar in its pure form is healthy as it retains many of its nutritional compounds. It should be consumed in small quantities to avoid weight gain. The only problem with this sweetener is that some of its providers mix it with high-fructose corn syrup for higher profits. Unadulterated agave nectar is sold by reputable health store suppliers.

is another natural wholesome sugar substitute that has emerged in the last years. The natural substance is similar to sugar in taste and appearance; it also dissolves easily in hot drinks. The sweet liquid is collected from the flowering section of the coconut palm. The blossom is separated for collection of the natural syrup. After air-drying the nectar, the crystals acquire a brownish hue. Unlike white sugar, palm sugar is unrefined, unprocessed and unbleached. The natural sweetener is abundant in a variety of nutrients and phytochemicals. These include the minerals iron, potassium, and zinc and the most of the B vitamins.

is a powerful natural sweetener rich in nutrients, phytochemicals, and anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic chemicals. Honey is not only a sweet substance, but also a wholesome healing food to fortify convalescents and boost their immunity. Honey is an active ingredient added to many remedies like cough syrups and burn salves. Added to cinnamon, it makes a healing mixture for many ailments. Garlic, vinegar and honey make another effective healer. Garlic, honey and the black seeds of Sativa nigella (habbah sowda’ in Arabic) make a potent cancer therapy and immune-booster. The effectiveness of these blends comes from the immune-lifting powers of pure, noncommercial honey in combination with the dense nutrients of the other ingredients. If you are going to use sugar or another natural or an artificial substitute, you might as well choose honey instead to add to your drink with the tip of a teaspoon. Honey is the safest and healthiest of all sweeteners, only if you care to control the doses and if you do not suffer from diabetes or high triglyceride levels. In excess, it boosts weight gain, which leads to many health complications as well.

Though some of the above artificial or natural sweeteners appear harmless for the time being, I still advise you to wean yourself of sugar, sweet and dessert cravings in order to break the addictive habit. According to Dr. Neal Barnard, it takes only 20 days of quitting sugar and substitutes to overcome sugar cravings, even though you are allowed whole fruits. It is even healthier to start training your taste buds to enjoy tea and herbal drinks without sweeteners; their bitterness can be a remedy for ailments. Spices and herbs like cinnamon, ginger, star anise and licorice give your drink or infusion a special aroma and a boost in phytochemicals and nutrients. If you absolutely need to sweeten your drink, add natural, noncommercial honey or natural molasses with the TIP of your teaspoon and no more. Big servings lead to weight gain and consequential disorders (diabetes, cardiovascular disease…). At least, natural sweeteners provide nutrients and are not nutrient-empty like refined sugar and other artificial sweeteners.

Remember, though you are repeatedly told that artificial sweeteners are natural, once isolated, “islolates” (aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, high-fructose corn syrup and others) act differently on the brain, body and nervous system and generate more injurious chemicals.

Now that many of the natural and artificial sweeteners have been revealed to you, the choice is yours to make, but do not get lured by traps prepared for us by profiteers like the drug industry and influential special interest groups. The important thing to do is not to just read about health, but also to act upon such knowledge and apply it to your children’s lifestyles and yours in order not to fall victim to torment and suffering. With collective efforts, we can put an end to tampering with food and beverages. We have seen recently how the voice of the people was heard when the use of carcinogenic “trans fats” was banned in New York restaurants and eateries. So never underestimate what the individual can do. Hand in hand, we can move mountains!