A Prescriptive Health Recommendation
Avoid Chemical Toxins
This sounds simple, like don’t burn you hand in the fire. Toxins include: artificial sweeteners, they offer sweetness without calories. Did you know that one sugar sweetened soda (12 oz) delivers about 150 calories, roughly 10 teaspoons or 39 grams of sugar, compared to its diet counterpart? This makes diet products seem like a smart choice for the consumer looking to reduce calories and sugar intake.
According to investigative research published by Harvard School of Medicine, Strawbridge, (2020). The Federal Drug Administration (FDA), has approved for human consumption five artificial sweeteners, Saccharin, Acesulfame, Aspartame, Neotame, and Sucralose and one natural low-calorie sweetener, Stevia (a plant source). Most artificial sweeteners are chemically manufactured.
The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) have given cautious approval for the use of artificial sweeteners in place of sugar to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes which are all risk factors for heart disease.
Sugar in its natural form whole fruit, can be a healthy choice, in moderation. Whole fruit is a fiber dense choice and lowers the impact of natural sugar in the body. Fruit juice also has natural sugar called fructose, but no fiber to lower the sugar impact. Nutrition experts consistently agree that juice consumption, over time, can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes and more, which are risk factors for heart disease.
I would argue that water is the best choice all around. There are many options to make water palatable for the consumer that says, “But I just don’t like the taste of water.” An economical, healthy choice is to add a lemon slice for flavor. Others have added cucumber slices, mint or preferred fruit for flavor.
Please feel free to do your own research and draw your own conclusions. For your information, here are the chemical formulas Acesulfame potassium C4H4KNO4S, Sodium cyclamate C6H12NNaO3S, and Sucralose C12H19Cl3O8.
My advice is to use sugar modestly and avoid artificial sweeteners. Drink clean fresh water.
If your fluids have been restricted for medical reasons, you must follow the advice of your health professional. Certainly, beverages with artificial sweeteners or sugar are not the best options for hydrating you either.
A familiar scriptural passage is John 4: 7, 9, 10, 13, 14? (MSG) The woman at the well. “A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. v9 Taken aback, she asked, how come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman for a drink? (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) v 10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.” v13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. v14 Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst-not ever. The water I give will be an Artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
Jesus meets us where ever we are, at our wells. He intentionally met this woman who had been scorned by her peers, Samaritan and Jewish societies, alike. This woman was the first that Jesus publicly revealed Himself to as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. This story is just one of many, that depicts the goodness and mercy of Jesus. Allow Him to meet you at your well of life. He is willing and able to help us with our life problems. He will also help us to avoid the wells and pits in this world. Ask, believe and you shall receive. Not magic, just faith combined with trust. Read more about the Love of Jesus to strengthen your faith.