Erythritol sweetener found to markedly raise clotting

[Calliecake]

Thank you @MamaBee. I love my coffee really sweet too.

@Demon, Can you please let me know what brand of caramel macchiato you use?

 

[Demon]

Thank you @MamaBee. I love my coffee really sweet too.

@Demon, Can you please let me know what brand of caramel macchiato you use?

It's International Delight. I really love their Coldstone Creamery, but haven't found it lately.

 

[Calliecake]

It's International Delight. I really love their Coldstone Creamery, but haven't found it lately.

I’ll have to try that. I love International Delights Peppermint Mocha but they only carry that flavor around the holidays.

 

[Demon]

I’ll have to try that. I love International Delights Peppermint Mocha but they only carry that flavor around the holidays.

Yeah I like that one too.

 

[MamaBee]

There isn't a Whole Foods really close to me, but I did look up what they have at King Soopers - they even have a caramel, a vanilla & orange stevias. I'll try the caramel first, as it will blend in with my creamer well. The orange sounds good for tea...

Edit - the ones at Kings have to be shipped from Vitacost. Everything else seems to be a blend of stevia and erythritol. I'll have to check Amazon. I don't want to buy a large amount till I find out if I like it.

Well..I started having issues which can’t be explained here..lol…from the liquid stevia. I have no idea now what to use in my coffee tomorrow morning. All the sweeteners have some issue..either related to cancer, gut problems, etc. I can’t use sugar because of my teeth..My mom is 97…She used Sweet n Low her whole life..and she’s still here. She only used one packet in a 8 ounce cup of coffee. I‘m sooo frustrated..I drink about 20 ounces of coffee in the morning...but that’s including half and half which is only 3TBS and 1 TBS hazelnut creamer..Life has become too complicated!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

im going to say something that might start a petition to get me banned






















but cant you just drink the coffee with no sugar/fake sugar
you will get used to it in no time

 

[MamaBee]

im going to say something that might start a petition to get me banned






















but cant you just drink the coffee with no sugar/fake sugar
you will get used to it in no time

I’m trying to wean myself @Daisys and Diamonds..I used one packet of Splenda and three drops of Stevia extract this morning in my coffee..Splenda is very sweet…I’m a sweet addict so I have to gradually reduce it to where it would be nearly impossible to cause any problems. I don’t know that I could totally go without ANY sweetener..

 

[elizat]

I’m trying to wean myself @Daisys and Diamonds..I used one packet of Splenda and three drops of Stevia extract this morning in my coffee..Splenda is very sweet…I’m a sweet addict so I have to gradually reduce it to where it would be nearly impossible to cause any problems. I don’t know that I could totally go without ANY sweetener..

Could you use honey? What about date sugar?

There is also coconut sugar.

All of them have drawbacks. I guess coconut sugar is a lower glycemic index apparently?

I think it's a matter of getting used to it. I don't drink coffee typically but when I do, it's very little sugar. I also don't drink soda. I like tea, iced and hot, but don't like it sweetened. I think it's just getting used to it probably.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I’m trying to wean myself @Daisys and Diamonds..I used one packet of Splenda and three drops of Stevia extract this morning in my coffee..Splenda is very sweet…I’m a sweet addict so I have to gradually reduce it to where it would be nearly impossible to cause any problems. I don’t know that I could totally go without ANY sweetener..

I honestly think moderation is key here. You are not drinking twelve cups of coffee a day so sweetner one or two cups shouldn’t be a big deal. I use 1/2 tsp. a day of Truvia and probably won’t stop doing so. We should all just be drinking water every day but water is boring so if you want to enjoy your morning coffee, I say go for it. Sugar is bad too - what isn’t bad? - so as long as your intake isn’t excessive you will probably be fine. I am too old now to react or overreact to these reports. They conflict each other, never tell us about the study group or how much they were consuming, and what other things were they doing to contribute to stroke or heart attack. For a life well lived, I think moderation is key. Just my two cents.

 

[elizat]

I honestly think moderation is key here. You are not drinking twelve cups of coffee a day so sweetner one or two cups shouldn’t be a big deal. I use 1/2 tsp. a day of Truvia and probably won’t stop doing so. We should all just be drinking water every day but water is boring so if you want to enjoy your morning coffee, I say go for it. Sugar is bad too - what isn’t bad? - so as long as your intake isn’t excessive you will probably be fine. I am too old now to react or overreact to these reports. They conflict each other, never tell us about the study group or how much they were consuming, and what other things were they doing to contribute to stroke or heart attack. For a life well lived, I think moderation is key. Just my two cents.

I agree. It's about moderation. Honestly, a reasonable amount of regular sugar is probably fine too. Everything is allegedly horrible for you. I was reading something about how dentists are saying carbonated water like La Croix is almost as bad as soda and that even plain mineral water is bad. They recommend room temperature tap water for each drink, with nothing else. Not even lemon because of the acid and tooth enamel. Honestly, not interested. If you get one go at this, I'm eating the cake, the ice cream and not drinking room temperature tap water every day...

 

[missy]

I agree. It's about moderation. Honestly, a reasonable amount of regular sugar is probably fine too. Everything is allegedly horrible for you. I was reading something about how dentists are saying carbonated water like La Croix is almost as bad as soda and that even plain mineral water is bad. They recommend room temperature tap water for each drink, with nothing else. Not even lemon because of the acid and tooth enamel. Honestly, not interested. If you get one go at this, I'm eating the cake, the ice cream and not drinking room temperature tap water every day...

Lol truth. Life is dangerous for us
And without exception ends in death so there’s that

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, we all want to live as long as possible in a relatively healthy body. You can lose your mind trying to adhere to all the things we should or should not do. We all have an expiration date and a reason or reasons for it, but we will come to an end at some point. I feel blessed to have come this far. My kids are grown, I have known my grandchildren and have had a good life. These are huge blessings to me as I know there are many others that didn’t get to live long enough to experience all of this. Some people live to be very old yet their minds are gone. I don’t know what the future holds for me and I cannot erase all I have done or eaten or drank. I just know that at this point, I will try to be conscious of things but will not deprive myself of everything either. The final point is just that there are no guarantees for any of us regardless of what we do or don’t do. I just can’t lose my mind over some of these studies as I know there will be another one tomorrow about something else to be concerned about - lol!

 

[MamaBee]

I agree..with you..I figure if two packs a day kills me..oh well. I think they did a study that said the upper limit was 27 packets a day of Splenda. I like my coffee sweet but I only will have 1 packet for each mug..I do drink 1.5 mugs in the morning but really..It’s ridiculous to think that amount of Splenda would be harmful a day. I can’t use a lot of Stevia. It messes with my stomach.

My orthodontist just told me the same thing about soda. It’s a natural stevia soda..but it still has citric acid in it. She says on contact it eats away the enamel. If that was the case we wouldn’t have any enamel because as a young
child we drank soda all the time. I’m going to have my one can a day and then brush my teeth.

 

[Demon]

Well..I started having issues which can’t be explained here..lol…from the liquid stevia. I have no idea now what to use in my coffee tomorrow morning. All the sweeteners have some issue..either related to cancer, gut problems, etc. I can’t use sugar because of my teeth..My mom is 97…She used Sweet n Low her whole life..and she’s still here. She only used one packet in a 8 ounce cup of coffee. I‘m sooo frustrated..I drink about 20 ounces of coffee in the morning...but that’s including half and half which is only 3TBS and 1 TBS hazelnut creamer..Life has become too complicated!

Oh, not fun! I haven't gotten any yet, but still plan to. I looked up the erythritol again today and there's many stories out there about it, though they may all come from that same study. Pure stevia seems like it should be ok, other than digestive issues, lol.

 

[Demon]

im going to say something that might start a petition to get me banned






















but cant you just drink the coffee with no sugar/fake sugar
you will get used to it in no time

No. I can drink tea without sugar but coffee is just too bitter.

 

[luv2sparkle]

That study was exceptionally flawed. I am not changing anything. The people in it were sick already and it told you nothing of what their average diet was. They could be eating a crap diet already. They left out so many important factors and all they were looking for was click bait.

 

[MamaBee]

My favorite drink..Zero Water Açaí Blueberry has Erithrytol in it so I stopped drinking it. I was in the supermarket today. They had a huge sale on six packs..buy one pack get one free. They never go on sale like that. Usually they will have a sale on single bottles. Right next to it I saw one bottle..still zero calorie..same flavor..but it had a different colored label. I read all the ingredients..no Erithrytol..It has stevia and monk fruit sweetener in it. People must have been calling them to take it out. It doesn’t taste like the original..It’s very sweet and I don’t care for it.. I’ll stick with water.

 

[missy]

Perhaps this was already posted but just in case FYI

Sucralose Damages DNA, Linked to Leaky Gut: Study

The researchers found that sucralose causes DNA to break apart, putting people at risk for disease. They also linked sucralose to leaky gut syndrome.

www.medscape.com

"

Sucralose Damages DNA, Linked to Leaky Gut: Study​

Lisa O'Mary
June 01, 2023



A new study reveals health concerns about the sugar substitute sucralose so alarming that researchers said people should stop eating it and the government should regulate it more.
Sucralose is sold under the brand name Splenda and is also used as an ingredient in packaged foods and beverages.
The findings were published this week in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B. The researchers conducted a series of laboratory experiments exposing human blood cells and gut tissue to sucralose-6-acetate. The findings build on previous research that linked sucralose to gut health problems.
The researchers found that sucralose causes DNA to break apart, putting people at risk for disease. They also linked sucralose to leaky gut syndrome, which means the lining of the intestines are worn down and become permeable. Symptoms are a burning sensation, painful digestion, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

When a substance damages DNA, it is called genotoxic. Researchers have found that eating sucralose results in the body producing a substance called sucralose-6-acetate, which the new study now shows is genotoxic. The researchers also found sucralose-6-acetate in trace amounts in off-the-shelf products that are so high, they would exceed the safety levels currently allowed in Europe.

"It's time to revisit the safety and regulatory status of sucralose because the evidence is mounting that it carries significant risks. If nothing else, I encourage people to avoid products containing sucralose," said researcher Susan Schiffman, PhD, adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at North Carolina State University, in a statement. "It's something you should not be eating."

The FDA says sucralose is safe, describing it as 600 times sweeter than table sugar and used in "baked goods, beverages, chewing gum, gelatins, and frozen dairy desserts."

"To determine the safety of sucralose, the FDA reviewed more than 110 studies designed to identify possible toxic effects, including studies on the reproductive and nervous systems, carcinogenicity, and metabolism," the agency explained on its website. "The FDA also reviewed human clinical trials to address metabolism and effects on patients with diabetes."

Sources​

North Carolina State University: "Chemical Found in Common Sweetener Damages DNA."

Cleveland Clinic: "Leaky Gut Syndrome."

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: "Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays."

"

​

 

[MamaBee]

Perhaps this was already posted but just in case FYI

Sucralose Damages DNA, Linked to Leaky Gut: Study

The researchers found that sucralose causes DNA to break apart, putting people at risk for disease. They also linked sucralose to leaky gut syndrome.

www.medscape.com

"

Sucralose Damages DNA, Linked to Leaky Gut: Study​

Lisa O'Mary
June 01, 2023



A new study reveals health concerns about the sugar substitute sucralose so alarming that researchers said people should stop eating it and the government should regulate it more.
Sucralose is sold under the brand name Splenda and is also used as an ingredient in packaged foods and beverages.
The findings were published this week in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B. The researchers conducted a series of laboratory experiments exposing human blood cells and gut tissue to sucralose-6-acetate. The findings build on previous research that linked sucralose to gut health problems.
The researchers found that sucralose causes DNA to break apart, putting people at risk for disease. They also linked sucralose to leaky gut syndrome, which means the lining of the intestines are worn down and become permeable. Symptoms are a burning sensation, painful digestion, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

When a substance damages DNA, it is called genotoxic. Researchers have found that eating sucralose results in the body producing a substance called sucralose-6-acetate, which the new study now shows is genotoxic. The researchers also found sucralose-6-acetate in trace amounts in off-the-shelf products that are so high, they would exceed the safety levels currently allowed in Europe.

"It's time to revisit the safety and regulatory status of sucralose because the evidence is mounting that it carries significant risks. If nothing else, I encourage people to avoid products containing sucralose," said researcher Susan Schiffman, PhD, adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at North Carolina State University, in a statement. "It's something you should not be eating."

The FDA says sucralose is safe, describing it as 600 times sweeter than table sugar and used in "baked goods, beverages, chewing gum, gelatins, and frozen dairy desserts."

"To determine the safety of sucralose, the FDA reviewed more than 110 studies designed to identify possible toxic effects, including studies on the reproductive and nervous systems, carcinogenicity, and metabolism," the agency explained on its website. "The FDA also reviewed human clinical trials to address metabolism and effects on patients with diabetes."

Sources​

North Carolina State University: "Chemical Found in Common Sweetener Damages DNA."

Cleveland Clinic: "Leaky Gut Syndrome."

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: "Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays."

"

​

Great…I’ve been using five packets a day of Splenda after stopping everything else. I think I’m going to use sugar!

 

[MamaBee]

I just read this response from the Splenda company. I will probably use it for a while until I can find a natural sweetener that I like.

Splenda Brand Addresses Recent Study on Sucralose-6-acetate(S6A) - Splenda®

Splenda branded products and the ingredient sources we use to manufacture our products were not included or tested in this research. S6A is not in Splenda.

www.splenda.com

 

[missy]

Great…I’ve been using five packets a day of Splenda after stopping everything else. I think I’m going to use sugar!

Sugar is not sweet enough for me lol
But yes it is the best thing we can use instead of sugar substitutes no doubt

 

[Arcadian]

I'll continue to use splenda for coffee. I don't use stevia which can cause me migraines (it never used to, I don't know whats different now) And I don't do real sugar much anymore. I rarely drink soda either....maybe one a month if that (no taste for it!)

I also don't do honey much either as it screws with my glucose levels badly.

My 1 packet of splenda a day isn't something I sweat much, considering I'm probably doing some way worse stuff....lol

Funny but I drink tea without any sweetners at all which I like. Coffee? I gotta have something in there. Regular sugar messes with my glucose levels way too much these days.

 

[missy]

"

Is Sugar Better For You Than Artificial Sweeteners?​

An endocrinologist breaks down the truth behind sugar and other sweeteners, including how to decide which is the healthiest choice.​

DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY• Story By Dorothy Cucci

These days, the options for sweetening foods and drinks are numerous. With calorie-free artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners like honey and agave, and traditional table sugar, it’s hard to know which choice is the healthiest.
While sugar-free substitutes might make sense for certain people with diabetes, there have been some public health concerns over the long-term damage artificial sweeteners may pose to your health. Recently, the World Health Organization issued a statement that aspartame, a chemical sweetener found in many diet drinks and sugar-free processed foods, was “possibly carcinogenic,” meaning there was a potential link to cancer. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was quick to disagree, saying FDA scientists did not have safety concerns based on how much aspartame people typically take in.

Dr. Rekha Kumar
Artificial sweetener use is a complicated topic, says Dr. Rekha Kumar, an endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, because “we’re learning of the health consequences of artificial sweeteners after the population has practically become addicted.”
Health Matters spoke with Dr. Kumar about the pros and cons of popular sweeteners, and how to weigh the risks and benefits of using them.
Let’s start with sugar. What happens when you eat too much sugar?
Dr. Kumar: Sugar is the most fundamental form of a carbohydrate, and carbohydrates are a category of macronutrients that are essentially the building blocks for energy. Sugar is the easiest way for humans to get the energy we need to think, move, and complete metabolic processes.
Consuming too much sugar has only become an issue in the last 40 to 50 years, with the rise of the obesity and diabetes epidemics. Prior to COVID, metabolic disease, excess sugar, and excess calories —which all lead to diabetes — were thought to be the biggest public health problems.
Basically, when you have too much sugar, you’re storing more calories than you’re burning. Ideally, when sugar or carbohydrates are used for energy, you’d expend energy in some way — let’s say by labor-intensive work or intentionally exercising. But today, most people can’t exercise off the amount of sugar that has become typical of the American diet.
Are all sugars created equal?
No, not all carbohydrates, of which sugar is the simplest form, are created equal. For example, complex carbohydrates like starch, which are found in whole grains and starchy vegetables like carrots and beans, can be very healthy. Foods like fruit, which have naturally occurring sugars, are also full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. So although you’re ingesting sugar, you’ll eventually get full and stop eating, which is not the case when you eat candy and drink soda.
What are the pros and cons of artificial sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners were developed to create sweetness without adding calories or spiking blood sugar in patients with diabetes. They were likely meant to be used in very small quantities, but they have been used in excess. And in excess there can be harm.
We’re starting to learn that they may increase risk of cancer and DNA damage by altering the microbiome. But artificial sweeteners are also so much sweeter — 200 to 600 times sweeter, depending on the type — than actual sugar. And as a result, people crave foods that are of the same sweetness.
What is an appropriate amount of sugar for someone to consume in a day?
I tell my patients as little as possible. But according to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar a day, and women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons.
What’s an appropriate amount for artificial sweeteners? And what are the health concerns if you consume too much?
Based on the growing body of literature showing that artificial sweeteners could cause DNA damage and increase the risk of cancer, I would recommend consuming as little as possible. That said, so many people in the U.S. are being treated for chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that are much more likely to shorten their lifespan than an artificial sweetener would.
People with diabetes are probably safer consuming non-nutritive sweeteners or sugar substitutes, because they’re at a higher risk for complications and long-term morbidity if their sugar intake is too high. But we have to weigh each person’s risks and benefits, age and stage of life, and medical conditions to determine whether sweeteners or real sugar is better for them.
For an active child without diabetes, in my opinion we wouldn’t want them ingesting chemicals that could potentially alter their DNA because they have a whole life ahead of them. It’s a different story for an 80-year-old with diabetes; they’re more likely to die of uncontrolled diabetes than cancer caused by a sweetener.
Sucralose, which is in Splenda, is an option for people who want to control their blood sugar. But sucralose is actually difficult to digest because it’s a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols alter the sugar molecule in a way that makes it more difficult to absorb, which causes many people to experience bloating, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. As a result, increased usage of these types of sweeteners causes a lot of people to develop irritable bowel syndrome.
For the average healthy person, I wouldn’t recommend aspartame. From my experience, I’ve noticed that patients who drink diet sodas often drink many a day. We’re not quite sure why, but people seem to get addicted to that flavor profile and crave the sweetness. In that way, a healthy person could still be at increased risk of diabetes because their brain is starting to crave sweeter things.
What about natural sugars and sweeteners? Are they better for you?
Although honey and agave are different forms of natural sugar, they should still be used in moderation. Agave is higher in fructose and has a greater ability to cause metabolic disease than plain sugar. And honey is very calorically dense. Because of the obesity epidemic, I can’t say that I favor honey over table sugar.
Natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit sweeteners might be better alternatives to chemical sweeteners, especially for younger people, whose longevity makes the risk of DNA damage very real. And while there isn’t conclusive evidence of this, the fact that natural sweeteners are derived from plants probably means there are fewer long-term health risks.
But they’re still significantly sweeter than real sugar: Stevia sweetener is 200 to 350 times sweeter than sugar, and monk fruit sweetener is 100 to 250 times sweeter. So while they aren’t artificial, they could still contribute to chronic disease by impacting flavor profiles, which puts people at risk of diabetes. You still have to use them in moderation.
What do you tell people who are trying to cut back on sugar and want healthy alternatives?
I recommend balancing natural sugars, like fruit, with a fatter protein; an apple with peanut butter or cheese is a great example. It provides you with the satisfaction of sweetness, but the fat and protein signal fullness to the brain. If you only eat sugar, whether it’s in a natural form or artificial form, you don’t feel full, which creates the vicious cycle of wanting more sugar.
Overall, I recommend skipping the diet drinks altogether and having water instead. I don’t think diet drinks are good in any form. If taste is an issue, I suggest trying flavored seltzer, water with a slice of lemon, or even milk.
Rekha B. Kumar, M.D., is an attending endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of various endocrinology disorders, including obesity/weight management and thyroid disorders. She is also the former medical director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

"