I stopped drinking soda and that was a big deal for me.....

[LynneSin]

14. Only problem is the artificial sweetners you're drinking now and Splenda is just as bad

http://www.naturalnews.com/024543_health_Splenda_weight.html

Duke University Study Links Splenda to Weight Gain, Health Problems


The study, which was published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, provides "evidence that, in the animals studied, Splenda reduces the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, increases the pH level in the intestines, contributes to increases in body weight and affects the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the body in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected," according to the press release. Instead of being absorbed as intended, Turner notes that medicines such as those used for chemotherapy, AIDs treatment or heart conditions could go right to the intestines instead. While the study was conducted using male rats, researchers were able to evaluate the results to determine possible side effects in humans. Turner notes that a rat study was also used by the manufacturers of Splenda to get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to market the product to humans.

Use Over Time Could Cause Side Effects

"A person eating two slices of cake and drinking two cups of coffee containing Splenda would ingest enough sucralose to affect the P-glycoprotein, while consuming just seven little Splenda packages reduces good bacteria," Turner explains. While there is no cause for concern for one-time use, Citizens for Health reports that side effects can occur after use over a period of time. Turner also mentions that Johnson & Johnson reports that Splenda is not absorbed by fat and that there is now "unmistakable evidence" to the contrary.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/024543_health_Splenda_weight.html#ixzz1rlVAXdn8

About 2 years ago I discovered splenda and started going crazy drinking splenda sweetened drinks and adding it to my coffee and other products. Mind you my diet & exercize all stayed about the changed but I've gained about 25lbs over that 2 year period. Thinking Splenda was good for me I used it in everything. I could easily drink 8 glasses of Crystal Light a day (they do make some of it with Splenda), added it to coffee and drank alot of bottled snapple. Was it the reason why I gained weight? No clue. But I've eliminated using splenda except on a rare occassion. I keep Stevia handy, which is the only low-calorie substitute that is 100% natural (it's made from a plant).

I'm not saying you should eliminate what you are drinking, just make sure you're not using too much of it. Also if you are adding a sweetner to a beverage I would strongly suggest switching to Stevia (also known as Truvia)