Robert Seiler
WRIT 1133-63
Doctor Leake
The
Hidden Truth
People
in America have become overly obsessed with eating healthy and healthy has been
equated to consuming less sugar, carbs, and fats. However, in place of
substances like sugar, companies have started using chemicals like Aspartame
and other artificial sweetener compounds in products like soda. These
substitute substances allow companies to say “Zero Sugar” which sounds good to
the consumer, but what they don’t know is how bad these products are for them.
Aspartame
is a sugar substitute that causes numerous health issues. Aspartame was
approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. According
to the Natural Society, the average American consumes, “about 1 gallon of soda
per week… which equates to 1.5 sodas per day.” Since the diet soda craze has
taken full effect in our country, artificial sweeteners have been consumed at
an ever-increasingly high level. The worst part is you may be consuming these
products everyday and not even realize it. One study found that 67% of female
rats exposed to aspartame developed tumors, “roughly the size of golf balls or
larger.” Additionally, Aspartame accounts for, “over 75 percent of the adverse
reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. There are over 90 different
side-effects caused by [aspartame].” This is a very disturbing statistic. If
people are consuming products containing Aspartame, which many common food
goods contain, you are putting yourself in a serious situation where cancer is
a real possibility. But other artificial compounds are also dangerous. To make
things more shocking, here is a list of the serious effects of Aspartame: Brain
tumors, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimer’s, mental retardation, Lymphoma, Birth defects,
Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes. The three chemicals in Aspartame are aspartic acid,
phenylalanine, and methanol which Phyllis Balch lists as part of the “chemical
poison” list. This outrageous compound is used in everyday foods and drinks and
most of the time you are consuming it without knowing.
Splenda
is the most used artificial sweetener that most soft drinks, coffee products,
and sweet, sugar-free, goods contain. Some side-effects of Splenda include,
“shortness of breath, join pains, eye irritation, swelling of facial muscles,
breaking out into hives or rashes, and more.” Even a commonly accepted
substitute for sugar, which is supposed to be a bad product (but only is so in
over usage), is not good for you. If Americans would simply consume sugar in
moderate amounts, we would not need artificial sweeteners and chemicals that
have horrible effects on the body. People simply use the excuse of, “oh it has
no sugar in it I can drink more now,” when instead the substances that take the
place of sugar are even worse for your health. This furthers the concept
brought up by writers like Pollan who say Americans are the most health
conscious people, but eat the worst.
We are drawn in by
labeling saying “Zero Sugars” or “Zero Carbs,” but the companies marketing
these goods do not inform you of the dangerous effects of these substitute
compounds being added to various foods. This is not just the fault of the
supplier, but the consumer. Pollans talks about how Americans are obsessed with
dieting and eating right when all we have to do is stick to the basics and not
over eat. No amount of substitute products will take the place of good, natural
food. Writers like Pollan hit the nail on the head by pointing out the fact that
Americans are the most health conscious people, but they eat the worst. This is
because we over eat and attempt to overcompensate with products that promise
less sugar but deliver something much worse. Overall, when food is eaten in
moderation, there is no need for the addition of heavy artificial substances
that cause great harm to your body.
Works Consulted
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