We crave sugar if our blood sugar levels are out of kilter. This occurs by consuming sugary foods and refined carbohydrates such as white flour that are quickly converted into sugar by the body. It's a catch 22; the more sugar you eat, the more you crave. Aside physical detriments, the highs and lows of sugar addiction cause mood swings, irritability and a loss of concentration.
Artificial sweetness
The synthetic amino acids that compose aspartame - phenylalanine and aspartic acid are seriously poisonous. According to Dr. John Olney, a neuroscientist at Washington University, St. Louis, Aspartic acid (40% of aspartame) causes holes in the brains of mice. Further, phenylalanine (50% of aspartame) causes seizures and degrades into DKP, a tumor causing agent.
Aspartame has a staggering 92 official side effects and countless studies have linked it with damage to the nervous system and neurological problems. Saccharin even tells you on the package that their product can cause cancer.
Complaints about aspartame represent 80-85 per cent of all food complaints registered to the FDA. There is Strong statistical evidence which links aspartame to breast cancer. American Cancer Society figures show that breast cancer cases have doubled since 1981, the year aspartame was approved for use as a food additive.
What if there was a healthy alternative that not only tasted sweet but actually had positive effects on the body? Sound too good to be true?
Stevia
Stevia, in balancing blood sugar can actually alleviate cravings for sweet foods and has been observed to reduce the appetite if taken 15-20 minutes before eating. It has also been revealed as a diuretic that can help rid the body of excess fluid.
If looking for an alternative to sugar, this remarkable non-caloric herb is the ultimate sugar substitute; healthy, tasty and sweet! Stevia can be found in liquid or powder form in many health food stores or online and there are numerous cook books available with stevia recipes.
Sweet vegetables such as carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes, and super food fruits such as berries, papaya, figs and prunes rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, are also great substitutes when kicking the sugar habit. Vegetables high in fiber and healthy whole grains also serve to stabilize blood sugar levels and ensure a slow release of energy into the blood stream, diminishing the rushes and subsequent cravings associated with sugary foods and refined carbohydrates.
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