While I would agree a "small amount" (and dependent on ones definition of small amount) of refined white sugar will not do no long term harm, the same can be said with Splenda.
However, like I have said many times before, one ought to stay away from refined white sugar like it has STD when we are talking in terms of weight loss.
When it comes to sweetening an item of food, one has to make the best "choice" from a bad "choice set" and this "bad choice set" is: Refined white sugar (HFC, and other names its known under that is processed) V Artificial Sweetener. (where
"Natural and Organic" pure ground sugar isn't available)
Lets hope you are not referring to "refined white sugar" (or table sugar) when you say sugar, SP. Refined white sugar has been linked to many diseases:
Sugar can suppress the immune system.
Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
Sugar can cause kidney damage.
Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
Sugar can promote tooth decay.
Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
Sugar causes food allergies.
Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
Sugar can cause depression.
Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
Sugar can cause hypertension.
Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.
(Source Link: )
One ought to investigate how "refined white sugar" is made, it will open your eyes. Investigate this, you will never look at table sugar the same, I promise.
How white sugar is made
"White" sugar is created in a couple of ways.
Mill white sugar is the result of sulphur dioxide being introduced to the cane juice before evaporation. It effectively bleaches the mixture.
In the production of refined white sugar, which is the most common product in the Western world, the raw sugar syrup is mixed with a heavy syrup and run through a centrifuge again to take away the outer coating of the raw sugar crystals.
Phosphoric acid and calcium hydroxide are then added to the juice which then combine and absorb or trap impurities. Alternatively, carbon dioxide is used to achieve the same effect.
The resulting syrup is then filtered through a bed of activated carbon to remove molasses and then crystallized a number of times under vacuum. It is then further dried to produce white refined sugar like we buy in the store.
(source:
)
Additional info:
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What is Splenda:
What is sucralose?
Sucralose, also known as Splenda, is an artificial sweetener produced through a patented process that adds chlorine atoms to sucrose (table sugar). Reported to be 600 times as sweet as sugar, sucralose has recently become a favorite of the food industry because it possesses desirable physical properties, such as tolerance to high temperatures, tolerance to high and low pH, a pleasant taste, very low caloric value (2 calories/teaspoon), and maximum sweetness using small amounts (thus, it is inexpensive).
Sucralose was discovered in London in 1976 through a joint research project between Tate & Lyle, an expert in sweeteners, and researchers at the University of London. Used outside the country since 1991, the FDA approved sucralose for use in the U.S. in April 1998. Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Specialty Products Company has a license agreement with Tate & Lyle to manufacture and market sucralose, which can be used in soft drinks, baked goods, ice cream, sweetener packets, and other products.
Sucralose belongs to a category of sweeteners called "non-nutritive," meaning that they do not provide a significant number of calories. Saccharin, aspartame and acesulfame-k are other examples of non-nutritive sweeteners. In contrast, sweeteners classified as "nutritive" do provide calories. Sucrose, dextrose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate are all nutritive sweeteners.
How is Sucralose made?
Sucralose is created via multiple-step manufacturing process that substitutes 3 chlorine atoms for the hydroxyl (hydrogen and oxygen) groups on a sugar molecule. The tight molecular bond between the chlorine atoms and the rest of the sugar molecule results in a very stable molecule. This means that it is not metabolized in the body for calories and it can be processed and used in many different types of food applications.
This source also says:
Is sucralose safe?
FDA and the World Health Organization say that it is. FDA evaluated more than 100 in vitro, in vivo and human safety studies and 40 environmental studies conducted over a 20-year period prior to giving its approval for human consumption. Endorsements from other agencies, who independently reviewed the data, include The American Council on Science and Health, the Health Protection Branch of Health and Welfare Canada, and The National Food Authority of Australia.
Prior to its approval by FDA, McNeil Specialty Products submitted data and information from the following types of animal studies: short-term genotoxicity studies, subchronic feeding tests, chronic toxicity, reproductive toxicity, teratology studies, male fertility, neurotoxicity, metabolism, bioavailability and DNA synthesis. They also submitted data from human tests on metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and glucose homeostasis (among diabetics). Most showed the substance to be non-carcinogenic, non-toxic, and devoid of side effects at recommended doses. Despite the vast amounts of safety data, there have been questions raised on whether sucralose, an artificial sweetener, can be beneficial for one's health.
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The FDA also says "refined white sugar is safe" too. So make your own opinion, lol.
The jury is still out on any adverse side effects from Splenda in the formal study sense----on humans. But you will find many sites that are anti-Splenda and list many complications in its use.
I have used, Splenda through out my large weight loss before I joined this forum; it has not effected my fitness goals and I cannot specify accurately (along with the other foods I have consumed) whether this has had any adverse effects on the INSIDE. What I can say is that through an appropriate diet (with Splenda included) and exercise, I feel better now (and its nearly indescribable) than I did before I started
I plan to continue to use it as a replacement to refined white sugar as it "fits" within my dietary plans and goals.
In addition, one would be hard pressed to locate a food item that hasn't been chemically touched through: growth, processing, packaging, and possibly delivery. So is any of our food.....actually CLEAN. Stop and think about it.
The other day, I bought a box of Fish (Talapia), and to my suprise when I looked on the box, I noticed that it was processed with Carbon Monoxide. I started reading on this and learned its used to "preserve its color" (se link below). We all know what this chemical can do if its at adequate levels dont we? It can KILL YOU. But they say the levels used are safe.....rather interesting.
Just some food for thought..........
Be sure to check you fish when you buy them.......LOL
So, If I decide to consume this fish in this contest, will it be considered CLEAN? It has been chemically altered. :boxing_smiley:
Best wishes to you all,
Chillen
(Sparrow, if you want me to delete this post, just say so, and I will)
