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Dec 18, 2008 -- All-natural sweetener Stevia gets approval from FDA
Longtime listeners may know that Clark is addicted to diet soda, particularly Coke Zero. His soft drink of choice is sweetened with acesulfame potassium and aspartame -- much to the dismay of foodies and health food types who write in to express concern that he's slowly poisoning himself with artificial sweeteners.
Soft drink makers are very aware of the image problem posed by their use of artificial sweeteners. Enter stevia -- a natural plant-derived zero-calorie sweetener that's 200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia has now been approved by the FDA for use in food and beverages.
Coke and Pepsi are both understandably excited about this new development. Coke is planning to use stevia in Sprite, while Pepsi is rolling it out in Tropicana and other beverages.
The jury is still out on what harm if any artificial sweeteners can do to the human body. But at least now there will be an all-natural alternative on the market!
Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.
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What others are saying
Artificial Sweeteners
A good rule of thumb, whatever the US Government says is "Safe" is NEVER safe! Products are sold based on corporate profitability, NOT safety!
cola
I wish that Coke, Pepsi, etc., would introduce "Lo-Sugar" versions of their colas using ONLY natural sweetner as in their REGULAR colas, but only HALF (or even just one-third) of the usual sugar amount. (I prefer the taste of natural sweeteners like corn syrup or granulated cane sugar, but I would be satisfied with a MILDER "dose" of sugar, as compared to the heavy amounts presently in use.
Moderation
Sodas, candybars, aspirin, orange juice - pick anything, it's all about moderation people. Corn syrup, sweetners, they aren't the enemy, let's not let our food become politically correct. Coffee has over 800 compounds. Injest too much of something on a daily basis, there are consequences but it doesn't make it poison. Control yourself.
All natural does not necessarily mean safe
I think it's kind of dangerous to assume something is OK to take into your body just because it comes from a plant or it occurs naturally. There are lots of bad substances from plants that you would not want to eat. That said, this new sweetener may be just fine. Hopefully the FDA has done studies to determine any risks associated with it. However, the long term effects of new things like this are usually not known. With some substances, it can take 20-30 years before long-term effects are felt. Thus sometimes it's better to go with the old standbys that have been around a long time and, even if they are not the greatest for you (eg, sugar), at least the long term effects are known and your intake can be moderated accordingly.
the stuff is nasty. yuk. I will take splenda or equal any day over this nastiness.
alcohol
there are people who drink alcohol all their lives with no complaint until their livers are destroyed.
stevia
If you look it up in an herb book it too has side effects, stick with small amounts of plain sugar, kids use it.
Aspartame
When 50% of the people who drink something get headaches, etc. Its only a matter of time before the substance gets more dangerous-sugar goes through many changes in the human body, well so does aspartame.
Stevia
Never heard of it, under what name or names is it marketed under. Splenda was the best I knew of.
Aspartame
Aspartame is 100 percent safe. All the so called Health experts are quacks that say it's not.
Stevia
We have been using Stevia for years, and it is a great healthy alternative. This is such exciting news! We have a family member with type 2 diabetes, and Stevia was critical in helping them get their blood sugar under control.
Stevia
Finally now if we can get the high fructose corn syrup out of most of our foods sold in the supermarkets.
