There May Be a Sweetener for You
By Tom Herrin
Most of us have some kind of foods or drinks that we really prefer. There are those who like salty foods, such as chips. There are also some who like sweets. Either one may have some drawbacks. The salt can certainly add to problems with blood pressure. On the other hand, too many sweets can create some issues as well. They can be pretty addictive for lots of individuals. This may lead to weight gain or worse. The development of artificial sweeteners occurred in the late 1800s. Much progress has been made since then, and several other kinds of sugar substitutes are now available. The newer ones seem to taste even more like sugar than that first one.
Diabetics Are the Real Beneficiaries
There is no doubt that the primary target of artificial sweeteners is diabetics. For many years, they were denied many of the simple pleasures that others were able to enjoy. Once these products were available, life was surely better. Most foods or drinks can be made with these sweeteners. Some can even be used in cooking. Not only do most of them contain no calories, more importantly, they have no carbs. Thanks to them, diabetics can pretty much have the same treats as everyone else.
Some Dieters Use Artificial Sweeteners
The popularity of sugar-free products is pretty obvious, and every consumer is not diabetic. Each time I walk down the drink aisle in the grocery store, I notice what a large number of sugar-free drinks they have. It also seems that all restaurants offer, at least, one sugar-free option with their drinks. On the downside, there have been some studies that indicate that sweeteners may increase hunger. If this is true, it makes it a vicious circle.
Sugar May Not Be Completely Bad
Except for those of us who are diabetic, consuming sugar is not as bad as it is sometimes made out to be. A teaspoonful of it is not all that high in calories. The real problem occurs when we overdo it. Too many times, we just can't stop ourselves once we start. Grabbing that one more bite, or drink, may be all it takes to pack on pounds and ruin teeth. The bottom line is that if we will use a little self-control, we can probably enjoy these sweets on the right occasion.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Northbrook, Ill.