It’s old news that sugar and artificial sweeteners are poison and detrimental to your health. But there is another sweetener and its evil twin that are in many of the products we consume. They actually increase insulin resistance and contribute to that ugly stuff known as “belly fat.”
This monosaccharide is found primarily in processed foods and sodas. It’s used extensively as a substitute for sucrose (white sugar), because it doesn’t raise blood sugar. This sweetener occurs naturally in fruits and is called fructose (its evil twin is high fructose corn syrup). When reading food product labels, you’ll notice how widely they’re used. Why? Because both are cheap and addictive — a manufacturer’s dream.
Unfortunately, there are a host of problems connected with these sweeteners:
• When large quantities are consumed, the liver can’t process it fast enough turning it into fats that enter our bloodstream as triglycerides. Triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease.
• Too much can cause uric acid levels to spike which blocks the ability of insulin to regulate how the body uses and stores sugar and other nutrients for energy. This can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• Excessive intake can promote weight gain by disrupting your appetite signaling system, so you feel unsatisfied after eating, leading to more eating.
If you’re like me, sometimes you just need a little bit of something sweet, but you’d prefer it to be healthy and safe. Enter Stevia and Lakanto, two of my favorite healthy sweeteners. Stevia, a South America herb, has a long history of safety and can be used for most of your sweetening needs, though baking with it can be challenging.
Lakanto, used for many years in Japan, is also a natural sweetener. It combines fermented erythritol along with the pure extract of Luo Han Guo fruit and tastes similar to brown sugar. It can be used in everything and measures out the same as sugar in recipes. With zero calories and additives, it’s perfect. And it’s no hassle as both can be found in my office. Add a new sweetness to your diet and satisfy your cravings without harming your health. Let Women’s Health Advantage help you find ways to incorporate healthy living into your everyday routines. Visit us today!
For more information, contact Jill Redfern RN, CNHP, Enzyme and Digestive Health Specialist at Women’s Health Advantage or call 661-310-7373 or e-mail womenshealthadvantage@msn.com .