Splenda - safe?

[Katie]

I have been having a little trouble finding a general consensus on Splenda. I'm wondering because certain, more "natural" diet sodas (ie. Hansen's) contain Splenda instead of Aspartame.

Before anyone goes on about how bad soda is in general... diet soda (I don't do regular soda), really helps with my migraines. I have no insurance and only have so many samples of Maxalt (which works wonders), and on my no med days a diet soda really helps take the edge off things. They have just the right amount of caffeine I think, because coffee makes my migraines worse and tea has no effect.

I can't do Aspartame because, like most others, it makes my seizures 100 times worse even on my meds.

Thoughts?

[RobinN]

The chemical process to make sucralose alters the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it is somehow converted to a fructo-galactose molecule. This type of sugar molecule does not occur in nature and therefore your body does not possess the ability to properly metabolize it. As a result of this "unique" biochemical make-up, McNeil Nutritionals makes it"s claim that Splenda is not digested or metabolized by the body, making it have zero calories.

Considering that Splenda bears more chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar, are you willing to bet your health on this data? Remember that fat soluble substances, such as DDT, can remain in your fat for decades and devastate your health.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...e-dangers.aspx

[ohioman212]

Epilepsy or not, I would steer clear of sugar substitutes.

[Endless]

Diet soda... doesn't contain much. It would have to be either the carbonation or the caffeine that helps you. In that case no sweetener is needed at all.

How about plain soda water with a couple of tablespoons of orange juice in it? If if it's the caffeine that helps you, how about a cup of coffee? That last one makes my seizures worse, but if it helps your migraines and doesn't hurt your seizures it's probably worth doing.

[Katie]

Thanks everyone. I didn't know Splenda was close to DDT. That's a great article. It's a good thing I haven't started drinking it yet.

Endless, I had never thought of soda water with orange juice. That's such a great idea! It can't hurt to see if it helps. I have always wondered whether or not it was the carbonation or the caffeine that helped me. Coffee has too much caffeine for me and I don't like the way it makes me jittery. I will definitely try the water/orange juice.

Thanks again everyone!

[Katie]

Just an update, today I was getting a migraine and took some Maxalt. I went to the store and bought Izze sparkling juice. It helped tremendously. Since I don't drink it that much I don't think the sugar will really affect my health. I'm sure it's much better than artificial sweeteners.

Thank you Endless for the suggestion! I will start making it at home soon.

[Chel]

I can't drink any commercial soft drinks except soda water/mineral water, because of the artificial colours and flavours (most are derived from wheat or other gluten grains). So this is what I do to make up a flavoured fizzy drink: half fruit juice (fresh, preservative free - from the fridge section, not the shelves) and half soda water.

I'll usually buy a litre or more of juice and half-fill multiple drink containers, then freeze them for later use, then add the soda water when I'm ready. Unfortunately this isn't as convenient as going to the store and buying when you want one, but it works well at home, and a small drink bottle is easy enough to carry.

Chel

[Bernard]

Katie, did you see the previous threads here about migraines? There are a few relatively inexpensive things you can try like magnesium supplements or oxygen therapy.

[Katie]

I haven't, thanks. Chel, thank you too for your little recipes