Splenda vs stevia...
Should you avoid both Splenda® AND stevia?

Debating about what the best sugar substitute is? Wondering about the difference between Splenda vs stevia? You're not alone in wondering about the safety of Splenda® and stevia. Here's the latest consumer research on the subject.




















According to a June 2006 report by consumer research company Mintel, nearly two-thirds of Americans are concerned about the safety of artificial sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda®) and aspartame (Nutrasweet).

More statistics have recently surfaced showing that artificial sugar substitutes such as sucralose and aspartame have health concerns.

Marcia Mogelonsky, a senior analyst for Mintel, discussed the safety of artificial sweeteners, saying that "The uncertainty is not stopping people from using sugar-free products...But as far as customers are concerned, moderation is key once they have chosen the substitute they feel is safest."

So Mintel is leaving it in YOUR hands to decide what's best for you.

Based on my own research, experience, and pure gut feeling, deciding between Splenda vs stevia is a easy decision. The fact that sucralose (Splenda®) is chlorinated really turns me off. Then, the whole host of other problems that I discussed in Dangers of Splenda® make MY decision to choose stevia over Splenda® even easier. You, of course, are free to choose for yourself.

The sugar-free foods market in the United States was a $5.9 BILLION market in 2005. So there's a huge amount of money at stake for the manufacturers of patented artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame.

















Given the current obesity and diabetes epidemic--which are showing no signs of slowing--the demand for low-calorie and sugar-free foods will continue to grow. The artificial sweetener manufacturers will continue to make more and more money from their products.

The Mintel report says there is a need for a genuinely safe sweetener, since it seems consumption of artificially sweetened foods will remain high, in spite of consumers' safety concerns.

Which brings me to the next part of your Splenda vs stevia question...should you choose stevia over Splenda®?

Before December 2008, the FDA refused to approve the natural herbal sweetener, stevia, as a sweetener in foods. For decades, stevia has been used throughout the world as a safe, zero-calorie sweetener. Finally, the FDA determined that stevia is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) in December 2008, allowing it to be added to foods and drinks as a sweetener.

Learn more about stevia here.

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