Moldy Tomato: "Made from Ripe Tomato"

The Splenda package boldly states "Made from Sugar". So, yes, it certainly is made from sugar.

But what exactly does that mean?

According to McNeil Nutritionals (Producers of Splenda), "Made from Sugar" means three chlorine molecules added to a sucrose (sugar) molecule. This mixture causes a chemical reaction, then BLAM!--Splenda.

What I'm concerned about is that during the chemical reaction, the original sucrose molecule is grossly altered. It's no longer sugar. Even though there initially was sugar in this equation, the sucrose no longer holds the same molecular qualities.

McNeil Nutritionals, though, couldn't afford to tell the public that... so they called the product "Sucralose". Which is a reminder that the sugar was once there.

What's scary is that on the same token, they could have called Chlorinose--named after the OTHER chemical used in the production of the product. But I'm afraid that would not have helped sales.

I like to look at this type of marketing wizardly like this... The formula is simple:

1. Find a derivative of something natural.
2. Alter the heck out of it.
3. Change its name so it is not as ominous as it truly is.

Can you think of other examples? Sweet'N Low? Equal? MSG?

Similar to the creation of Splenda, a moldy tomato is derived from a previously ripe one... all that happens is a few chemical reactions and some bacteria take over. Would you eat a moldy tomato if it had a sticker on it that said "Made from a Ripe Tomato"!?! Would you eat it even if they called it something fancy like "Tomato du Fuz" or labeled them with the year it began to rot like a fine wine? Of course not.

We can even analyze it the opposite way--where something occurring naturally is made from chemicals that are bad for us. Would you eat table salt if it had a label on it that said "Made from Chlorine". Probably not.

It's all about marketing the product.

They doesn't sell moldy tomatoes because they know nobody will eat them. And they couldn't sell Splenda if they said "Made from Chlorine"... which in fact it is, because there are 3 chlorine molecules to every one sucrose molecule.

We are at a disadvantage because we cannot see the effects of the chemical reactions these molecules go through. We don't bring microscopes to our diners to examine our packaged sweeteners to see what is really there... and even if we did, we'd have no idea what they've created for us to ingest.

We can see the effects of mold on a tomato. We know it is bad.

So here are some of documented effects and facts about Splenda. After you read them, hopefully you'll know it is bad as well.

1. As of 2005, There have only been six human trials to date on Splenda. Not nearly enough to form a useful scientific opinion.

2. The longest trial lasted three months.

3. At LEAST 15% of Splenda is not excreted from your body in a timely manner.

4. Chlorine, though rarely occurring naturally, can create dangerous byproducts called dioxins (and other organochlorine compounds). These are hazardous to our bodies. Even if we are exposed to very low levels, dioxins remain in the body and accumulate. The EPA is now saying that this is soon to become a major health risk problem. The cumulative effects of dioxin in humans have been linked to birth defects, cancer, reproductive disorders and immune system breakdown.

Here are some more detailed medical effects:

1. Shrunken thymus (immune system) glands (up to 40 percent shrinkage)
2. Enlarged liver and kidneys
3. Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus.
4. Increased cecal weight.
5. Reduced growth rate.
6. Decreased red blood cell count.
7. Hyperplasia of the pelvis.
8. Extension of the pregnancy period.
9. Aborted pregnancy.
10. Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights.
11. Diarrhea.

You might say these are extreme cases. That's OK to think... but who knows?!!? There have only been SIX human trials.

I know of a chemical that has these particular side effects in very low doses... headache, drowsiness, vertigo, weak and rapid pulse, deep and rapid breathing, a bright-red color in the face, nausea and vomiting.

Sounds like the regular over the counter sinus medication, nothing harmless, right?

Wrong... it's cyanide and it's derived from nature as well.

Could your sweetener be bad for you? You bet.