high-fructose corn syrup, in nearly every- thing on grocery store shelves. Switching to corn-based sweeteners


is a case of jumping from the funnel cake grease into the fire! Corn syrup has be- come the go-to sweetening agent for processed foods due to its low cost and high concentration (at least 1.5 times that of cane sugar). Thanks to government subsidies, corn is alluringly cheap for food and beverage companies that need a steady supply of sweetness. Corn is also a top GMO crop with at


least 92% of the nation's corn supply being genetically modified to withstand large doses of herbicides. Setting aside the shocking effects of GMO consumption, this intense concentration of simple sugar is wreaking havoc on the collective me- tabolism. Studies abound correlating in- take of high-fructose sweeteners to in- creased risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and more.


What About Zero-Calorie Sweeteners? Aspartame, Equal, sucralose, Splenda,


saccharin: they go by many names but do any of them sound truly sweet? Not when you read the over 100 scientific abstracts Greenmedinfo has collected on the perils of artificial sweeteners. Chemical fas- cimiles of sugar, these unnatural com- pounds can be far worse than the real thing. Linked to increased risks of kidney


disease, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, and obesity, these calorie-free sugar sub- stitutes trick consumers into thinking that previously unhealthy foods can get "a sugar-free pass." But fake sugars are far from harmless. Studies show consuming synthetic sweeteners generates excessive cravings for the sweet taste, leading to weight gain and other negative effects linked to excessive sugar consumption. While it might be tempting to think


that these sugar imposters can help you bypass the weight and still eat the treats, if you value your health, steer clear of these dietary destroyers!


Nature Has the Solutions Wondering what options this leaves


you when only something sweet will do? Fortunately, nature has got you covered. Here are four solutions for satisfying your sweet tooth that won't rot your teeth, cre- ate blood sugar imbalance, or cause


JULY 2019 29


weight gain. In fact, these natural wonders pack some amazing health benefits!


Xylitol Xylitol is a sugar alcohol derived from


xylose - a crystalline sugar found in birch bark. Sweet like sugar but with only 40% of the calories, xylitol is fast becoming the preferred sweetener of health-conscious consumers. Low-carb dieters will find xylitol ap-


pealing, with less than a quarter of the carbohydrates found in cane sugar. It also stands apart from synthetic sweeteners thanks to its natural origins. Besides birch trees, xylitol is found in the cellular struc- ture of fruits like raspberries, and in veg- etables like the corn-cob. Even our bodies produce xylitol (between 5-15 grams per day) during normal metabolic processes. With a glycemic rating of 13, xylitol


is metabolized around eight times slower than regular sugar, making it a safer choice for diabetics. Unlike sugar, which pro- vokes the release of insulin in response to its consumption, xylitol is metabolized independently of insulin in the gut. It me- tabolizes slower and steadier than sugar, making it a much safer sweetener for hy- poglycemics and the sugar-sensitive. And there's good news for sufferers of


cavities or Candida: Xylitol actually dis- courages the bacterial growth that feeds these conditions. The bacteria that cause candida, dental caries, and even Strepto- coccus mutans, thrive in acid-based envi- ronments, with sugar as their food of choice. Xylitol is non-fermentable, creat- ing an alkaline reaction in the body that bacteria find inhospitable. Xylitol con- sumption has been shown to dramatically decrease cavities and ear and throat infec- tions, among other infectious organisms. The dental health community are one


of the biggest supporters of Xylitol. Studies have shown that plaque build-up and dental caries can be reduced by 80% with the introduction of moderate amounts of xylitol (up to half an ounce per day). Re- search also indicates that consuming xy- litol may increase bone strength and bone density.


*Important Notes: Xylitol can have a


laxative effect, so start slowly. It is best to obtain Xylitol from a manufacturer who uses birch rather than corn. Finally, Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, so please keep it away from Fido! Xylitol is sometimes made from corn, which includes GMO corn. Look for the higher quality, non- GMO certified, and best of all: birch tree derived form.


Stevia 300 times sweeter than sugar and


without caloric content, the Stevia plant has been used by native people to sweet- en food and drink for centuries. Stevia's popularity as a modern sugar substitute grew in the 1990's, and new research confirms what tribal cultures knew: this plant provides a safe, affordable and tasty alternative to expensive and potentially dangerous sweeteners. A study, published in August 2017,


calls Stevia "a suitable calorie-free sweet- ener," with both "pharmacological and therapeutic properties, including antioxi- dant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and anticancer." Researchers further heralded Stevia's positive effects on those metabolic conditions aggravated by excess sugar consumption, namely obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Stevia reduces blood sugar, reduces


blood pressure, combats infections, and reduces risks of diabetes. One study even


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