Artificial Sweetners Good or Bad?

[Eric Johnson]

While looking at all the different protein drinks on the market they all seem to have some kind of artificial sweetner in them, Aspartame, Acesulfame K, Sucralose, etc. What is everybodies take on these? Are they as bad as some internet sites would have you beleive or are they nothing to worry about?

Thanks for any input or opinions.

[Ryan Rhodes]

I don't know, Eric. My feeling has always been that (with the exception of insoluble fiber) if your body can't metabolize it, it's most likely unnatural, and probably not healthful to consume. Most of the artificial sweeteners/oils I've seen have some weird side effects listed on the packaging. They taste like crap too. I'd rather do an extra 5 minutes of cardio and eat naturally

[Jacob Sauter]

Artificial sweeteners are not good at all.. Im too lazy to write why :p

[Reuben Hall]

Eric, here are two links that might help you out.

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/

http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/

It was my new year's resolution to cut out the sugar and aspartame from my diet. So far, so good, however, now that you brought up the question, it looks like I'm going to have to give up sucralose too.

[SqeezeMasterFlash]

I like stevia

http://www.holisticmed.com/sweet/

[JEFF VANCO]

Every protein I've seen has this shit in it, in some form or another. How can this be avoided?

Is there a natural sweetless protein on the market? I don't drink protein for the taste anyway.

Thanks Ya'll,

Powerlifting Rules,

Biglog

[Jamie McEwan]

If it's a huge concern you can just buy plain, unflavoured whey protein, sold at most supplement shops. Even cheaper, just get a big bag of skim milk powder.

[Jacob Sauter]

www.allthewhey.com uses splenda.. and has the best prices too.

[Eric Johnson]

www.allthewhey.com (http://www.allthewhey.com/) uses splenda.. and has the best prices too.

Jacob isn't splenda (sucralose) an artificial sweetner that falls in the same catagory as aspartame, Acesulfame K, etc...?

Every protein I've seen has this shit in it, in some form or another. How can this be avoided?

Is there a natural sweetless protein on the market? I don't drink protein for the taste anyway.

Thanks Ya'll,

Powerlifting Rules,

Biglog

Jeff, Oprimum nutritions 100% Natural whey uses Stevia, I have never tried it so don't know what it is like. Also at www.trueprotein.com (http://www.trueprotein.com/) you can buy different kinds of protein with or without sweetners.

I like stevia

http://www.holisticmed.com/sweet/

Sqeeze whats your experience with stevia been? I know holisticmed likes it because it is all natural but then again so is opium, mariuana, cyanide, etc.

Oh well I guess I will stop worrying about it and eat more whole foods.

[Gene Getman]

Jeff, Oprimum nutritions 100% Natural whey uses Stevia, I have never tried it so don't know what it is like. Also at www.trueprotein.com you can buy different kinds of protein with or without sweetners.

Ive been using ON's 100% whey for as long time, it pretty good stuff and its damn cheap compared to some of the 'high tech' BS. Go to DPSNutrition.com you can get a 5lb bucket for $20 and a 10lb bag for abotu $40. Its got BCAA, a bunch of vitamines and minerals, and is 80% protien by weight (best ive found is Isopure at 85% protien per unit wieght). I actually never questioned whether it had aspertame or any of that shit but im glad to hear it doesnt!
Actually years ago when I first started lifting I was obsessed with getting ripped (like most teens are) and I drank tons of diet snapple to cut calories and ended up getting severe headaches until I stopped drinking them. Problem with aspertame is that its very similar in structure to the neurotransmiter aspertate which has numerous functions in the body, thus it can act on aspertate receptors which in turn would activate those functions and disturb the body's natrual equilibrium in that regard. Products that contain aspertame also very often contain phenylalanine which is itself another neurotransmitter and would again cause problems for the same nature. I dont know much about the specific chemical changes that would occur but im sure you could find the info if youre interested.

[patrick w.]

Jacob isn't splenda (sucralose) an artificial sweetner that falls in the same catagory as aspartame, Acesulfame K, etc...?

splenda (sucralose) is used as a sugar substitute like the others you have listed however, unlike the "artificial" sweetners, splenda is a sugar derivitive made from real sugar.

[JEFF VANCO]

Thanks guys for the info - I appreciate it.

Gene, I just found the protein you speak of (ON) and here it costs 56 bucks for 5lbs and 99 for 10. That's Canada for you. This economy sucks dick big time. As soon as I graduate I'm heading to the U.S. for sure.

Powerlifting Rules,

Biglog

[Eric Johnson]

Ive been using ON's 100% whey for as long time, it pretty good stuff and its damn cheap compared to some of the 'high tech' BS. Go to DPSNutrition.com you can get a 5lb bucket for $20 and a 10lb bag for abotu $40. Its got BCAA, a bunch of vitamines and minerals, and is 80% protien by weight (best ive found is Isopure at 85% protien per unit wieght). I actually never questioned whether it had aspertame or any of that shit but im glad to hear it doesnt!...

Gene, ON has two types of 100% whey, the normal 100% whey and the Natural 100% whey. The former uses Acesulfame K, while the later uses stevia.
I have been using the normal 100% whey for a while and really like it, I've been paying ~$26 for it so I will check out DPSNutrition, thanks for the heads up.

[patrick w.]

Iuse optimum as well. You can get good prices for it at bulknutrition.com as well.

I also like ProLab's Lean mass matrix (cinnamon oatmeal flavor is my fav.) for my MRPs.