[Villages PL]

As I have said before, sugar appears to be a drug, even though it's not classified as a drug by the FDA. It fits the dictionary definition in part: A chemical substance used to enhance physical or mental well-being. The chemical structure is C12H22O11 and is obtained from the juice or sap of many plants.

One thing we know is that all drugs have side effects. A sweetener may enhance physical or mental well-being for a time but may have after effects. Looking at it from the perspective of pH balance, most sweeteners are highly acidic (i.,e., metabolized as acid).

The following are highly acidic (acid forming in the body)

Agave nectar, all artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes, beet sugar, corn syrup, honey (pasteurized and unpasteurized), molasses, white sugar.

The only one that is slightly alkaline is Chicory Stevia (as of 2008).

I think all sweeteners are bad because they set up an extreme "taste preference" whereby you tend to eat more of food items that are less beneficial for health. For example, sweeteners enhance baked goods, etc., and therefore lead to addiction and weight gain.

[glgene]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

As I have said before, sugar appears to be a drug, even though it's not classified as a drug by the FDA. It fits the dictionary definition in part: A chemical substance used to enhance physical or mental well-being. The chemical structure is C12H22O11 and is obtained from the juice or sap of many plants.

One thing we know is that all drugs have side effects. A sweetener may enhance physical or mental well-being for a time but may have after effects. Looking at it from the perspective of pH balance, most sweeteners are highly acidic (i.,e., metabolized as acid).

The following are highly acidic (acid forming in the body)

Agave nectar, all artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes, beet sugar, corn syrup, honey (pasteurized and unpasteurized), molasses, white sugar.

The only one that is slightly alkaline is Chicory Stevia (as of 2008).

I think all sweeteners are bad because they set up an extreme "taste preference" whereby you tend to eat more of food items that are less beneficial for health. For example, sweeteners enhance baked goods, etc., and therefore lead to addiction and weight gain.

What would you consume as a safe beverage (not counting water)?

Gene

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by glgene

What would you consume as a safe beverage (not counting water)?

Gene

Just off the top of my head I think it might be green tea with a little squeeze of lemon juice. Although, I can't drink tea because I have overactive bladder and tea would make it worse.

I'll check to make sure which tea, if any, is recommended and I'll get back to you.

[asianthree]

Cardiac Diet called for...blue than pink than yellow..packets. this year its back to sugar..

[glgene]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Cardiac Diet called for...blue than pink than yellow..packets. this year its back to sugar..

Not sure what this means. Could you elaborate?

Gene

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by glgene

Not sure what this means. Could you elaborate?

Gene

I think asian3 is talking about artificial sweeteners. The different brands come in different-colored packets.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Cardiac Diet called for...blue than pink than yellow..packets. this year its back to sugar..

Your thoughts on stevia?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Your thoughts on stevia?

Have grown stevia since I was a child in the garden...it was use to make sweet tea sweeter....if that could happen....I am always amazed at the medical findings of what we should be using (yep it's the color of packets) that is safe for this year...stevia is not brought up in the guide lines Yet for the cardiac diet...but natural raw sugar is and in moderation

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I try to avoid all sweeteners, natural or artificial. This of course is impossible if you go out to eat and I do go out to eat and also enjoy mixed drinks and enjoy life in general so I do ingest sweeteners. At home I only eat whole foods (non-processed no grains)and don't add any form of sweeteners. Research has shown potential benefits to many different kinds of tea and I drink mine without any sweeteners but I do add lemon juice directly from a fresh lemon. I drink about 60 oz of different teas a day.

[mulligan]

Think I'll pause for some organic lettuce and a mug of distilled water....early dinner.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Cantwaittoarrive

I try to avoid all sweeteners, natural or artificial. This of course is impossible if you go out to eat and I do go out to eat and also enjoy mixed drinks and enjoy life in general so I do ingest sweeteners. At home I only eat whole foods (non-processed no grains)and don't add any form of sweeteners. Research has shown potential benefits to many different kinds of tea and I drink mine without any sweeteners but I do add lemon juice directly from a fresh lemon. I drink about 60 oz of different teas a day.

To Gene and Cantwaittoarrive,

It's really difficult to find any drink, other than water, that is truly healthy. Most drinks are acidic, or acid forming in the body, as is tea. But if you like your tea with some fresh lemon juice, my thinking is that the lemon juice will help to neutralize the acidity of the tea.

Lemons, limes and grapefruits are chemically acid, but tests show they have an alkalizing effect when metabolized. Therefore, I think it would be okay to drink a little grapefruit juice, as long as it's not from sweet grapefruit. And as long as it hasn't been sweetened.

Juice from green vegetables is alkalizing.

Juice from tomatoes has an alkalizing effect when metabolized.

Natural fruit juice (unsweetened) is moderately acidic but not as bad as many other drinks. Of course the sweeter the juice the more acidic it will be.