Thoughts on Artificial Sweeteners?

[wake_me]

I've read everything between them being perfectly fine, to them causing cancer. From what I read the cancer concerns are based on studies on rats that were mega dosed, and that rats are susceptible to bladder cancer to begin with.

It looks like the store label type I currently use has dextrose as the main ingredient. I'd say I probably use about 10, give or take, a day between coffee, tea, shakes, oatmeal, cottage cheese. I think I could cut back a bit if that sounds excessive.

I've tried other types like stevia, or splenda, but I am wondering if they are worth the increased cost or if the concerns are overblown like some suggest. I would imagine there is no clear cut answer, but I am interested in educated opinions.

thanks

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

I've read everything between them being perfectly fine, to them causing cancer. From what I read the cancer concerns are based on studies on rats that were mega dosed, and that rats are susceptible to bladder cancer to begin with.

It looks like the store label type I currently use has dextrose as the main ingredient. I'd say I probably use about 10, give or take, a day between coffee, tea, shakes, oatmeal, cottage cheese. I think I could cut back a bit if that sounds excessive.

I've tried other types like stevia, or splenda, but I am wondering if they are worth the increased cost or if the concerns are overblown like some suggest. I would imagine there is no clear cut answer, but I am interested in educated opinions.

thanks

I have used artificial sweeteners since 2009, and over the last probably two years, (since I am more aware of how much I use per day) I am around 35 packets per day. I probably have bladder cancer though as over the last several months it feels like I can't empty my bladder completely.... hmm..

[LaMartian]

Personally I like Splenda. I think the "negative effects" are moot and to me, it tastes no different than sugar, but YMMV. But I can't stress enough to stay away from aspartame (i.e. Equal and such). Look up the history on that. It's some of the worst sh*t ever. I was using a lot of that a day when I was deployed and started having some serious heart problems as verified by EKG, cut out the aspartame and it went back to normal.

[gbullock32]

Search function- this thread/topic has been beaten to death so many times.

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

Personally I like Splenda. I think the "negative effects" are moot and to me, it tastes no different than sugar, but YMMV. But I can't stress enough to stay away from aspartame (i.e. Equal and such). Look up the history on that. It's some of the worst sh*t ever. I was using a lot of that a day when I was deployed and started having some serious heart problems as verified by EKG, cut out the aspartame and it went back to normal.

I bet your tech put the leads on your chest wrong.. happened to me.

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

Search function- this thread/topic has been beaten to death so many times.

..... and this

[DGMan99]

Search function- this thread/topic has been beaten to death so many times.

Brotha, came in to say this.

[wake_me]

Search function- this thread/topic has been beaten to death so many times.

..... and this

Apologize for that. I understand how it can be annoying to see people ask the same thing constantly. The thing is when I search "artificial sweetener" with advanced search within any time frame and any forum, or this one specifically, I get no results for some reason. If I do a general search I get a bunch of threads, but not organized chronologically, and I was hoping to get up to date info.

[LaMartian]

I bet your tech put the leads on your chest wrong.. happened to me.

Hmm, I suppose it's possible, but I didn't need the tech to tell me when I was having heart palpitations

[PendlayRow8500]

Artificial sweeteners are... Well... Delish !!

As long as you don't consume like 100 packets a day I think you're fine.
I drink roughly 32 oz of Coke Zero a day with my 1 gallon of water, and I haven't had any adverse effects at all. Way better to drink zero calorie sodas than 500 calories of insulin spiking regular soda a day, IMO.

[Znik]

Apologize for that. I understand how it can be annoying to see people ask the same thing constantly. The thing is when I search "artificial sweetener" with advanced search within any time frame and any forum, or this one specifically, I get no results for some reason. If I do a general search I get a bunch of threads, but not organized chronologically, and I was hoping to get up to date info.

Up to date info: it's fine and nothing to worry about.

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

Hmm, I suppose it's possible, but I didn't need the tech to tell me when I was having heart palpitations

Same here. That's why I went into get seen to begin with.... heart palpitations when I was in the gym.. the EKG then showed inverted T waves, and had to go to cardio consult where they performed an echo, to which the echo was clear and all was good.. ultimately they said palpitations are very common , and as long as they aren't accompanied by shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling in the hands/feet, then you are okay.. follow up EKG was done, and all normal.. cardiologist concluded the initial abnormal reading was most likely a result from incorrectly placed leads on the chest.

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

Apologize for that. I understand how it can be annoying to see people ask the same thing constantly. The thing is when I search "artificial sweetener" with advanced search within any time frame and any forum, or this one specifically, I get no results for some reason. If I do a general search I get a bunch of threads, but not organized chronologically, and I was hoping to get up to date info.

I have no idea why bb.com doesn't update their search algorithm to return results sorted by date... that's not that damn difficult... I hate that myself.

[Jesse_l_g]

IMO its weird people have developed such a sweet tooth. I think anyone can "reset" their taste buds and not miss eating/drinking so much sweet stuff. Everyone i know that has given up soda says it tastes like syrup after they quit for a period of time.

I think the jury is still out on a lot of them. For the most part they seem harmless enough. Especially compared to drinking piles of regular sugar. They certainly have no real value.

[wake_me]

IMO its weird people have developed such a sweet tooth. I think anyone can "reset" their taste buds and not miss eating/drinking so much sweet stuff. Everyone i know that has given up soda says it tastes like syrup after they quit for a period of time.

I get your point. I've been trying to cut back on the amounts I use. For example instead of 2 in a large cup of coffee, I use 1 now. I do think that masking the true flavour you are not appreciating the taste of coffee, etc for itself.

[likeafish]

Wait, you're using a sugar alternative that is mostly another type of sugar that is almost as caloric as sucrose but not as sweet and is mixed with a noncaloric sweetener? Or are you planning on using a sugar alternative and wondering what to use?


Alternative sweeteners can be really different, I don't think they should all be lumped together to determine whether they're good, neutral or bad. Even within a group, like sugar alcohols, some have better effects than others (like not causing stomach pains or acting as laxatives).

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

I get your point. I've been trying to cut back on the amounts I use. For example instead of 2 in a large cup of coffee, I use 1 now. I do think that masking the true flavour you are not appreciating the taste of coffee, etc for itself.

Wish I could cut to 1... I do 4 per cup LMAO

[LaMartian]

Same here. That's why I went into get seen to begin with.... heart palpitations when I was in the gym.. the EKG then showed inverted T waves, and had to go to cardio consult where they performed an echo, to which the echo was clear and all was good.. ultimately they said palpitations are very common , and as long as they aren't accompanied by shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling in the hands/feet, then you are okay.. follow up EKG was done, and all normal.. cardiologist concluded the initial abnormal reading was most likely a result from incorrectly placed leads on the chest.

Ah, there's the difference then. I was getting them badly and they were surely accompanied by shortness of breath and chest tightness. I'd have to stop and hold onto the wall until I was good again.

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

Ah, there's the difference then. I was getting them badly and they were surely accompanied by shortness of breath and chest tightness. I'd have to stop and hold onto the wall until I was good again.

Good gawd... did you have an echo done at all?

[LaMartian]

Good gawd... did you have an echo done at all?

I'm not... entirely certain... the corpsman I had working on me was insanely hot so it was hard for me to pay attention to anything until the doctor said part of my heart wasn't receiving electricity.

[Slow-N-Steady]

Search function- this thread/topic has been beaten to death so many times.

..... and this

I know people say this, but the search function on this site is absolute trash. Not coming at you guys, just mentioning it because it needs to be said and I get why people just go ahead and start a thread anyways.

[Mrpb]

In moderation probably no problem.

I know people say this, but the search function on this site is absolute trash. Not coming at you guys, just mentioning it because it needs to be said and I get why people just go ahead and start a thread anyways.

So true...

[LaMartian]

that's when you go to Google and use

site:forum.bodybuilding.com artificial sweeteners

If it's in the forums somewhere, the almighty Google will find it.

[ArmyROTCCadet05]

I know people say this, but the search function on this site is absolute trash. Not coming at you guys, just mentioning it because it needs to be said and I get why people just go ahead and start a thread anyways.

I did mention it later on after I posted ... and this...

[Jesse_l_g]

I know people say this, but the search function on this site is absolute trash. Not coming at you guys, just mentioning it because it needs to be said and I get why people just go ahead and start a thread anyways.

This. Also people enjoy participating and opinions change. If we didn't rehash topics over and over again there would be almost zero activity on here. New posters wouldn't have anything to say.

[boo99]

I know people say this, but the search function on this site is absolute trash. Not coming at you guys, just mentioning it because it needs to be said and I get why people just go ahead and start a thread anyways.

100% agree

Search is mega frustrating and I find it difficult to use
Honestly doing a google search and putting in topic with bb.com works way better/faster

[swolefrye]

I think they are fine in moderation. It seems about anything causes cancer anymore. Just don't overdo it but if you're really worried then avoid them.

[IzzySophia]

everyone seems to think theyre the enemy these days, but everything seems to cause cancer these days, i think its a load of crap really, imo thryre a lot better than excessive sugar
theres no evidence theyre bad, i have them every day and i have no health problems

[blue9steel]

that's when you go to Google and use

site:forum.bodybuilding.com artificial sweeteners

If it's in the forums somewhere, the almighty Google will find it.

^This

I never use the built in search.

[blue9steel]

The science seems to suggest that they're probably safe in reasonable quantities. That said, there are some conflicts of interest in the research funding and some controversy over the approval of Aspartame. I find artificial sweeteners useful to help control calorie intake and insulin impact so I do use them, but in case it turns out that they are not so great for you I try to stick to the ones where the reported effects tend to be mild. For me, that means Stevia and Sucralose, you'll have to make your own risk/reward decision.