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Are artificial sweeteners "bad" for us?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/31/2007 3:43 AM (GMT -6)
It seems that occasionally I see someone post about artificial sweeteners not being good for us.  I know they say we shouldn't consume sugar because it's hard to digest.  What are the side-effects of artificial sweeteners?  Ever since I heard we shouldn't use sugar, I only use Equal/Splenda.  Now I'm wondering if it's the artificial sweeters that bother my stomach and give me frequency/urgency.  If that's the case, sugar was more gentle to me!  What does everyone here use? Sugar, artificial, nothing, etc.  Thanks in advance for your time!  Julie :-)
Posted 8/31/2007 3:10 PM (GMT -6)
I can't use the artificial stuff at all. They send me into an immediate flare. I only use sugar and don't have any obvious side effects.
Posted 8/31/2007 3:26 PM (GMT -6)
And sugar alcohols are the worst, anything ending it "tol", mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, sorbitol, lactitol.

I use Stevia as a natural sweetner, as well as honey, refined processed sugar causes inflammation and bacterial over-growth.

:)
Posted 8/31/2007 3:38 PM (GMT -6)
I have no problem with them. I think it is different for everyone.
Posted 8/31/2007 3:38 PM (GMT -6)

Sugar alcohols such as splenda can cause diarrhea. In addition, Phenylalanine (Aspartame) can cause irreversible brain damage and death.

Posted 8/31/2007 3:50 PM (GMT -6)
Keep in mind, you may think you have no problems with sugar, artificial sweetners and such but often the damage it does and the side effects of it are masked by IBD.

:)
Posted 8/31/2007 4:33 PM (GMT -6)
i can't eat artificial sugars or the sugar alchohols, they sent me into horrible cramping pains, its all natural for me or nothing........that means reading ALOT of labels when shopping for grocerys
Posted 8/31/2007 5:36 PM (GMT -6)
I can't handle Splenda but I'm good with Equal.
Posted 8/31/2007 6:04 PM (GMT -6)

I totally agree, and ditto everything pb4 has said. Many testimonials have been shared about the dangers and effects of Splenda and aspartame. Splenda (sucralose) is basically chlorinated table sugar and may have many of the risks of chlorine. Personally for me, I never used to be affected with Splenda, or at least I didn't think so, until I eliminated it from my diet, and started noticing my IBD symptoms diminished when I stayed away from it. I recommend Stevia, as well.

Posted 8/31/2007 6:18 PM (GMT -6)

Lots of the sugar free products have a warning on the back. Some even say, "May have laxative effect."

I am constantly constipated and if I eat that junk I get horrible gas pains and still can't go. I try to eat all natural stuff and nothing processed, anyway, but sugar substitute is garbage IMO. (Frozen dinners and packaged granola bars just bother me,too. )The one time I had Splenda my toungue went numb. That is scary.  If I am going to indulge then I go for the real stuff. :-)

Posted 8/31/2007 7:58 PM (GMT -6)
I believe it was a binge of sorbitol-sweetened popsicles that helped trigger my CD. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol and has always made me crampy and gassy. I believe the ingredient label even warns that it had a laxative effect.
Posted 8/31/2007 10:30 PM (GMT -6)
I to can not use artificial sweetners at all no matter what brand it is.
Posted 9/1/2007 1:23 AM (GMT -6)

I can't use artificial sweeteners either - Nutrasweet (aspartame) gives me an instant headache, and splenda doesn't taste sweet to me.  I don't do well with Stevia either (caused my tongue to tingle & swell, I felt nauseated, and overall more "sick" feeling).  I also get sick from corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup.  I do best with organic maple syrup, unsulfured molasses, occasional honey, and occasional real cane sugar.

-Razzle

Posted 9/1/2007 3:21 AM (GMT -6)
Wow!  Thank you for all of the replies.  It seems as if the concensus is that artificial sweeteners can really mess up everything!  I'm so happy I posted this.  I switched to artificial sweeteners 1 month ago and have been having problems ever since.  I couldn't figure out why I was "flaring," since I just had a colo 2 weeks ago.  My GI said that my colo was better from last year, but I developed a stricture.  However, I knew I was getting worse and couldn't figure out why.  Then I remembered I eliminated sugar.  I consume a large amount of artificially sweetened iced-tea all day.  I also switched to Equal for my coffee.  Time to cut out the sweeteners to see if this makes a difference.  Also, thank you for the alternative sweetener suggestions!  Julie :-)
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