Stevia may not be classified as a food, but consumers are using it as one

Seattle Tiems ^ | Sunday, July 4, 1999 | Molly Martin

[Brookhaven]

You should try SweetOne.

Here's a link to a warning page about Acesulfame K (the sweetener in SweetOne):

http://www.holisticmed.com/acek/

I don't mean to rain on the artificial sweetener parade, but I really am more interested in a natural product. I figure I've got enough chemicals floating around in me already.

[another cricket]

I really hate to break this to you but everything is made of chemicals. Just because it is so-called natural does not mean that it is good for you and just because it is so-called man made does not mean that it is bad for you. Dosage is everything.

a.cricket

[gwynapnudd]

"Salt has a chlorine molecule in it as well...so when you use salt you are putting chlorine in your system."

Point well taken. I really do like splenda, just became suspicious when it seemed too good to be true, if you know what I mean.

[Cloud William]

(Re: NutraSweet/Aspartame)- "I was using it with iced tea and discovered that I was experiencing uncontrolled hand and arm movements and also vocal problems. The stuff was definately affecting my nervous system, ie: brain functions regarding more than one system.

I regard the stuff as dangerous."

Do a Google search on neurology and aspartame; I believe you'll find that the stuff is considered quite dangerous indeed. I know that my sister-in-law (who is an epileptic) was warned not to touch the stuff by her doctor. It somehow lowers the seizure threshold. To make matters worse, most diet soft drinks are made with it.

[Cold Heat]

I appreciate your reply. I do not drink soft drinks anymore. Just plenty of water and beer. (keeps the system flushed)

The symptoms I experienced were wierd (to put it mildly) I no longer have them and feel better than I have in years. I watch labels intently. The stuff seems to affect the motor synapses. Some sort of misfire I suppose. You notice it when inactive or resting, even driving.

G'nite all............wirestripper

[DainBramage]

I've found that if I stir my drink with my finger it tends to sweeten up each time. (:^)

My wife's finger produces a lemony taste. I let her stir the tea.

[didi]

I have used it to sweeten tea, and bought the powder at a health food store. I also, in the past, bought a box of packets to take with me to restaraunts. I haven't bought any lately, but my feeling is that it is safe. I liked it, but it is harder to find where I live now. I believe that saccharin is safer than nutrasweet. I am not diabetic, but would like to have my teeth when I am old and am something of a sugar fiend.

I have become more cautious about 'natural' foods and remedies lately, particularly the herbal "supplements" as kavakava has been found to cause liver damage in some, with at least one person dying. My advice, for any of that, would be to find information on how long it has been used in Europe, for what symptoms, and any side effects that have been found. The Europeans are ahead of us in this aspect. I hope this helps.