Health Dangers of Soft Drinks; Especially Diet

With more than 35 percent of adults in America alone have a BMI greater than, or equal to 30, it seems that everyone is concentrating on reducing this rate. Study after study has been done concerning soft drinks and their adverse health effects they have on the human body. Every week it seems that there is a new study linking soda consumption to poor health, and it does not matter whether you choose the sugary soda, or the diet. The data shows that you are putting yourself at risk for everything from heart attack to osteoporosis. The most recent studies do link these sugary sodas to heart attacks in men.

We can all admit that full sugar sodas are high in calories, and can contribute to weight gain, however, it has been well documented that liquid sugar consumption can lead to a high level of fasting glucose, which is a precursor to diabetes. But what else can this sugary soda do to us? Over the years soda has been blamed for the rising obesity epidemic, and with it the rising healthcare costs. In fact, some public health experts have asked for a soda tax to help deter people from drinking so much of it. While diabetes and a larger waistline are obvious side effects of drinking soda, there are other hidden dangers as well.With more than 35 percent of adults in America alone have a BMI greater than, or equal to 30, it seems that everyone is concentrating on reducing this rate. Study after study has been done concerning soft drinks and their adverse health effects they have on the human body. Every week it seems that there is a new study linking soda consumption to poor health, and it does not matter whether you choose the sugary soda, or the diet. The data shows that you are putting yourself at risk for everything from heart attack to osteoporosis. The most recent studies do link these sugary sodas to heart attacks in men.

We can all admit that full sugar sodas are high in calories, and can contribute to weight gain, however, it has been well documented that liquid sugar consumption can lead to a high level of fasting glucose, which is a precursor to diabetes. But what else can this sugary soda do to us? Over the years soda has been blamed for the rising obesity epidemic, and with it the rising healthcare costs. In fact, some public health experts have asked for a soda tax to help deter people from drinking so much of it. While diabetes and a larger waistline are obvious side effects of drinking soda, there are other hidden dangers as well.

I would wager that you did not know soda can cause invisible fat buildup around your organs. Danish researchers discovered that drinking just one regular soda can lead to a dramatic increase in dangerous hidden fats. Researchers asked participants to drink either soda sweetened with 50 percent glucose and 50 high fructose corn syrup, milk containing the same amount of calories as the regular soda, diet cola, or water every day for six months. Researchers found that the total fat mass remained the same across all beverage consuming groups, however found that there was a dramatic increase in fats that are hard to detect with the naked eye for those who drank the regular soda. They discovered that those who drank regular soda had a 132 to 142 percent increase in liver fat, a 117 to 221 percent jump in skeletal fat, and a 30 percent increase in both triglyceride blood fats, and other organ fat. These people also experienced an 11 percent increase in cholesterol compared to those who drank other beverages. One thing that consumers are not told is that some sodas, like Mountain Dew, uses a toxic flame retardant chemical ingredient in order to keep the artificial flavor from separating from the rest of the liquid. Brominated vegetable oil, listed as BVO on soda and sports drink, can cause bromide poisoning symptoms like skin lesions and memory loss, as well as nerve disorders. Also, here in America, the sodas are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, which has been shown to cause the worse fat buildup.

High fructose is a heart harming genetically engineered food (GE). GE technology was first introduced to us in the 1990’s, and the long term impacts of the ingestion of these foods have never been put to the test. 

That is because the corporations that developed the crops never had to test them to make sure they were safe for us to consume over the long term. However, independent researchers have found the GE crops are linked to digestive tract damage, accelerated aging, and even infertility. HFCS is found in many processed foods you eat today, not just soft drinks, you can find it in candy bars, crackers, hot dog buns, ketchup, and much more. On average, the amount of HFCS people eat, from all its sources, has increased by over 50 percent over the past 30 years. Research has shown that the growing dependence on HFCS, here in the US is fueling the obesity rate, can increase energy intake, decrease resting energy expenditure, excess fat deposition, and insulin resistance, which for them shows that HFCS plays a direct role in the epidemics of insulin resistance, and obesity in humans.

One reason for the rise in the use of HFCS is the low price, the abundance of it, and the sweetness. It is the low cost that has made it available to everyone, especially those in low income groups. It may have become popular with the companies that use it because of the low cost; however HFCS is not popular with our bodies. Our bodies metabolize HFCS significantly different than it does glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar, a carbohydrate found in starch that is transported through the body in the blood. Glucose is what gives our body energy, and when a diabetic tests his/her blood sugar, it is the glucose that is being measured. HFCS is absorbed in the intestine and enters the liver without insulin regulation. Once it is there, it enters the glycolytic, energy breakdown pathway. This leads to an excessive accumulation of citrate outside the mitochondria, the fuel burning factories in cells, which then undergoes fat buildup, and is reassembled into free fatty acids. This causes insulin resistance, promotes atherosclerosis, and serves as a conductor for obesity. Since HFCS does not stimulate insulin secretion, or require insulin to be transported into the cells, and requires a different metabolic path than other carbohydrates, it skips the normal process of carbohydrate metabolism. As a result, HFCS is an unregulated source of the starting material for fatty acids to form, and thus leads to over eating and excessive weight gain, which is very dangerous to diabetics. HFCS can also cause triglycerides (type of fat found in blood), which can hasten fat in the liver, and cause fatty liver disease. HFCS can also cause all of the manifestations of what is referred to as “Metabolic Syndrome.” Metabolic syndrome is a collection of heart disease risk factors that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. An increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels, all occur together to increase this risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. According to a national survey, more than one in five Americans has metabolic syndrome.

Normally when we eat or drink natural foods, it suppresses the secretion of our bodies hunger hormone, however HFCS does not do this, and when we drink soda our body still believe we are hungry even if we have just eaten. HFCS is not just a sweetener; it is a preservative as well, which is another reason why companies use it so much in just about all of their products. It is produced through a process that changes the form of sugar in cornstarch from glucose to fructose. This may sound natural to you, however it is not, and causes numerous health risks. HFCS corn syrup may be the main culprit in the obesity epidemic, not just for being in the sodas we drink, it is the overconsumption of it because it is also in just about everything consume on a daily basis. It is in breakfast cereals, snack foods, fruit drinks, sauces, spread, dips, salad dressings, condiments, jams, yogurts, etc. Read the food labels, you will be surprised how many foods you find that has HFCS in them. Research is ongoing too, to verify the addictive properties of HFCS. HFCS is actually monopolizing the food industry, economics, and politics, it seems that we no longer have the freedom of choice to control what we eat since HFCS is found in just about everything on the grocery store shelves. As for sodas, people usually avoid these sugary drinks for the diet, however you may not be as safe as you think, research has shown that these zero calorie drinks may too increase your risk of heart disease, and may in fact cause diabetes instead of help it. This may be an unhealthy habit.

In a University of Minnesota study of almost 10,000 adults, found that even just one diet soda a day was linked to 34 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome, this group was found to have symptoms which include belly fat and high cholesterol, which can put them at risk for heart disease, and kick start kidney problems to adding inches to your waistlines. The worst thing is, people are drinking diet sodas in record numbers, kids consuming diet soda has more than doubled since the last decade, and according to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adult consumption has grown almost 25 percent. Another study done by the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that the more diet sodas a person drank, the greater their risk of becoming overweight. A study by Purdue University showed that drinking just two or more cans a day increased the participants’ waistlines by 500 percent. They found that the artificial sweeteners can disrupt the body’s natural ability to regulate calorie intake based on the sweetness of foods. It is because of this that people who consumes diet foods might be more likely to overeat, because your body is being tricked into thinking it is eating sugar, and you crave more. Adding alcohol to your diet soda is a bad idea as well. Research by the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia, has shown that cocktails made with diet soda get you drunker faster, because sugar-free mixers allow liquor to enter your bloodstream much quicker than those with sugar.

Diet sodas contain something regular sodas do not; mold inhibitors with the names sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, and you can find them in just about all diet sodas. These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to a person’s DNA in the mitochondria, to the point that the soda totally inactivates it. Research by the University of Sheffield, in the U.K., told a British newspaper in 1999 that these preservative have been linked to hives, asthma, and other allergic conditions. The Food Commission in the UK has listed these preservatives as mild irritants to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Both sugary sodas, and diet sodas alike has a pH balance of 3.2, which makes sodas very acidic (The pH of battery acid is 1, water is 7). Acid is what can dissolves enamel, and just because a soda is diet, does not make it acid-light. Adults who drink three or more soda a day have the worse dental health, according to a University of Michigan analysis of dental checkup data. You can find that the cans that sodas come in can be just as harmful. The cans are coated with the an endocrine disruptor called biphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to everything from heart disease, obesity, even reproductive problems. That’s not all, there is new research that shows that not only is diet soda bad for you, but it also makes you gain weight as well. Aspartame, which is the common artificial sweetener has been linked to sleep disorders, high blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue, and in some cases arthritis flare-ups. Those who drink diet soda are also at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. This is really bad, since research has shown that, since these diet sodas show they are zero calories, people drink more of them. Also, zero calories can lead to binge eating, and over eating. Our bodies on the inside have a pH balance of 75 percent alkaline, and 25 percent acid. PH levels are extremely important, to keep a healthy body. Doctors and dietitians have linked an unbalanced pH level to cancer and other medical problems. Diet soda is extremely acidic, with a pH level of 2.5. Battery acid has an acidic pH of 1 on the pH scale. Components in diet sodas can block certain things your body needs, like magnesium, calcium, and can block the excretion of certain hormones. Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965, when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug. He discovered that this drug was sweet when he licked his finger to turn a page of his notebook. He traced this sweetness back to a simple molecule of two amino acids.

Aspartame was set to be released in 1974 but was withheld until 1981 due to a neuroscience researcher, Dr. John Olney, and James Turner, a consumer attorney, filing objections against its release. During this time the research practices of G.D. Searle was being investigated, which convinced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the delay. The FDA’s toxicologists, Dr. Adrian Gross and Dr. Jacqueline Verrett, both vigorously objected to aspartame’s approval for 16 years because the original studies triggered brain tumors, seizures, and all sorts of other tumors. They were powerless when aspartame was finally approved by presidential order May 7, 1985. The question I have is why would President Reagan intervene for aspartame, did he know the research showing just how bad this sweetener was for people? Or was this a favor he did for G.D. Searle Company. Whatever the reasons, aspartame was now on the market, and had ample opportunity to harm unsuspecting people who depended upon it from weight loss, to those with diabetes who had to substitute it for sugar.

Aspartame is more like a protein than a sugar; it is formed of two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, and a methyl ester. It is metabolized completely in the intestinal tract to its amino acid components and methanol. Both are reduced in the body to formaldehyde, and then formic acid. The first problem researchers see is that aspartame metabolites into methanol, which accounts for about 10 percent of the broken down molecule. Methanol is poisonous to the human body; however our bodies are equipped to deal with it in small amounts. Once methanol enters the liver, it is converted enzymatically into formaldehyde, which is then mostly converted to formic acid, the substance to which all aspects of methanol poisoning are attributed. We can find methanol naturally in many fruits and vegetables, however it is found in conjunction with higher amounts of ethanol, which utilizes the same enzyme as methanol. Since the methanol is unsuccessfully converted, it is then excreted harmlessly through our urine. Advocates of aspartame argue that our bodies are equipped to rapidly metabolize methanol and formaldehyde, and that formaldehyde is actually a useful building block in small amounts. That is like saying arsenic can be a useful building block since both formaldehyde and arsenic are used by our bodies in extremely small amounts. The problem is that both are toxic when these amounts rise.

Research that was done on smokers, that inhaled formaldehyde directly into their system, shows the dangers of even a very small amount of excess formaldehyde to our bodies. Cigarettes contain roughly 20 micrograms of formaldehyde, and once inhaled, the formaldehyde completely metabolizes within 1-2 minutes. This can be a problem because formaldehyde also very rapidly forms compounds known as formaldehyde-DNA adducts, this means that the formaldehyde attaches itself irreversibly to our DNA. For healthy people these compounds would rarely form, and be destroyed by safety mechanisms built into our system. However for those who form a lot of these compounds, because they have been overly exposed to formaldehyde, they may end up building up and can play a role in the onset of so many different cancers. Research has shown that is doesn’t take much, or long to damage our DNA.

There was a study done that shows exactly what happens when aspartame is ingested. In the study, the methanol portion of the molecule was labeled, so it could be tracked. The label was designed to remain even after the methanol is converted into formaldehyde or formic acid. The study showed that 20 mg, or 5 percent of the labeled molecule remained after five hours, half of that in the liver. They increased the dose to 200 mg, and they found that even more of the labeled molecule was found. This study discovered that the effect is thought to be dose-dependent and a contributor to the amounts of formaldehyde-DNA adducts formed. 20 mg of aspartame is a lot, which is equal to 9 to 10 cans of diet soda a day for an average-weight female. Once you drink these sodas, the formaldehyde-DNA adducts are formed irreversibly, and once formaldehyde binds to the DNA of a cell, the only way to get rid of it is for the cell to die. Even a small amount daily can contribute to a growing effect of DNA adducts, and 5 percent of 3500 micrograms, the methanol content of one pack of Nutrasweet, is 175 micrograms, which suggests that when all of the metabolizing is done, there is 175 micrograms of formaldehyde that is left behind to bind do your DNA. Remember the cigarette mentioned earlier? It only contained 20 micrograms.

This is not the only worry we have where diet sodas are concerned, when drinking diet sodas you are loading your blood with a higher concentration of phenylalanine, an amino acid used to biochemically form proteins coded for by DNA. There are some who believe there is no danger, and argue that we get significantly more phenylalanine from so many other foods that we eat. However, the issue with this argument is that we also get a significant amount of other amino acids as well, and when our blood is loaded with only phenylalanine there is documented research that shows it causes a depletion of essential amino acids in our brain. For those who suffer from phenylketonuria (metabolic genetic disorder characterized by a mutation in the gene for the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase), this issue is one of utmost seriousness since their body cannot effectively metabolize phenylalanine. This condition may be rare, and most people will most likely not intake enough phenylalanine from aspartame to load their blood, especially since most people will metabolize it to tyrosine, which is less harmful. However, for habitual users the risk is greater than for those who only consume Nutrasweet, Equal, or other aspartame-containing products only now and then. What all of this means, is that aspartame carries with it a risk to your health, and there is evidence that even in small amounts, people have side-effects like headaches and gastric upset. Of course, there is the risk that it can contribute to carcinogenic formaldehyde-DNA adduct formation, and for children it requires a lot less to be considered high doses. Last, but not least, there are studies that show aspartame can interact with all drug, like prescription and nonprescription, vaccines, and other toxins you may come in contact with. Thus causing more harm for your body in the long run. There are over 90 different symptoms research contributes to aspartame, here a just a few of them.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:

With all that is wrong with aspartame, we all thought there was a saving grace, Splenda, unfortunately look can be deceiving. Distributed by McNeil Nutritionals, Splenda was approved in the United States in 1998. Discovered in 1976, in the U.K. by a group of scientists who were actually trying to create a new pesticide, in fact Splenda’s chemical structure resembles that of pesticides rather than sugars or salts. Marketed as a natural sweetener, claiming that is is derived from sugar, and aimed towards health conscious moms who fed this product to their children, became the new zero calorie sweetener. There is “some” truth behind the fact that Splenda is derived from sugar, however what they fail to disclose is that during the manufacturing process three of the hydroxyl groups in the molecule have been replaced by chlorine atoms. This means that even though it is derived from sugar, the chemical structure of this sugar has changed significantly, and many experts argue that the chemical structure of Splenda is eerily similar to that of pesticides in the way their carbon and chlorine bonds are held together, as a chlorocarbon, rather than a salt like McNeil claims.

If you do not know chlorine’s impact on your body, it is time to learn. In fact, you can suffer from toxicity from too much chlorine in the body from eating and baking too much with Splenda. What bothers me is that these manufactures can claim that the products are all natural, they can do so because the FDA has not standard for what is considered “all natural”. With no parameters to meet, a company can claim their product is all natural when it is not. In natural foods, the chloride is connected with ionic bonds that easily dissociates, with Splenda, there is a covalent bond, and it does not dissociate. In fact, No covalent chloride bonds are organic compounds in nature, only ionic. Covalent chloride bonds only exist in synthetic, man-made molecules, other examples of synthetic covalently bound chloride compounds are DDT, PCBs, and Agent Orange. Our bodies do not have enzymes that can breakdown this covalently bound chloride, it would not since it does not exist in nature, so nature never made our bodies to address it. Since our bodies cannot break down this chemical, so it can be metabolized, research shows that about 15 percent of sucralose is absorbed into the digestive system, and ultimately stored in the body.

There have not been any long term studies on Splenda, which is another problem we have. The longest lasting study was just six months, and there are no large population studies to get a true picture of the side effects and health risks of Splenda. The largest study I could find was one with 128 people, and many of these studies only focused on the very low amounts of Splenda in the human diet, like when you drink a small amount in your coffee or tea. However today you can see Splenda in so many baked goods, fruit snacks, fruit juices, flavored waters, and much, much more. This list only continues to grow, which means the use of Splends in our diets increase, which can have an impact on our health, and this impact is fairly unknown. In one of the manufacturers own studies, rats were fed large amounts of this artificial sweetener, and the results were very scary. Researchers found that there were problems with the thymus glands, enlarged livers, and kidney disorders. The rats metabolized sucralose (Splenda) in a similar manner as humans, which is why they were used, however the FDA wrote off the study saying that the rats were different than humans. What was wrong about this is that the FDA first approved the study using rats because they were the most similar to humans, then when the results showed serious problems they disregarded the studies saying the rats were different than humans. Unfortunately, they cannot have it both ways, can they? It seems now that the general public is now the guinea pigs for the testing of Splenda, another chemically altered artificial sweetener, which follows a long line all of whom claimed to produce no ill health effect, but later proved they did.

The Sucralose Toxicity Information Center states more side effects from sucralose being reported daily. Which are:

With limited scientific evidence about Splenda’s side effects, what little research that exists does indicate that there are potential health problems associated with this sweetener. Even the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is suggesting people avoid Splenda. This watchdog group focuses on nutrition and food safety, and has downgraded Splenda from “safe” to “caution, following an unpublished study by an independent Italian laboratory that found splenda may cause leukemia in mice. According to CSPI, “The only previous long-term feeding studies in animals were conducted by the compound's manufacturers.”

A study from Duke University shows that Splenda suppresses the beneficial bacteria, and directly affects the expression of the transporter P-gp and cytochrome P-450 isozymes that are known to interfere with the bioavailability of drugs and nutrients. This study demonstrated what happens with Splenda does that are approved by the FDA for use in the food supply. Another study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health found that Splenda also affected the expression of certain enzymes known to interfere with the absorption of nutrients and pharmaceuticals. A 2008 study verified this, and added that Splenda increases the pH level in your intestines, and affects a glycoprotein in your body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you are on certain medications like chemotherapy, or treatments for AIDS and certain heart conditions. Other studies show that Splenda decreased red blood cells, a sign of anemia, at levels above 1,500 mg a day. It can also increase male infertility by interfering with sperm production and vitality, as well as brain lesions at higher doses. It can enlarge and calcify kidneys, and showed spontaneous abortions in nearly half of the rabbit population given sucralose, compared to zero aborted pregnancies in the control group. This same study showed a 23 percent death rate in rabbits, compared to a 6 percent rate in the control group.

You see, manufactures primary tricks used to hide the toxicity of their products is to use short-term trials, with the longest study being 4.5 months, it was far too short to reveal any toxicity from chronic exposure. It is because of these short trials, that manufacturers can get away with saying that these artificial sweeteners have not health concerns. However, there are reports of these following reactions after the consumption of Splenda, and these are:

Believe or not, Splenda, like other artificial sweeteners can actually cause weight gain. Splenda is advertised that it can help you lose weight, since it does not contain any calories, however, it can cause you to gain calories. Everytime you eat or drink something that includes sugar, your body recognizes the calories and heats up in order to begin burning them. But when you eat or drink something with artificial sweetener, your body does not recognize the calories in it, because there are none. Your body does not heat up or begin to burn away the calories, which can cause you to overeat in an attempt to feel full. In turn, this will cause you to gain weight.

The chlorine in Splenda has been shown to cause stomach ulcers in some people, and because our bodies do not digest Splenda, as well as other artificial sweeteners, they can stay in our systems up to four days. This can eventually place a strain on our digestive system. Too, manufacturers of these artificial sweeteners claim that you cannot get diabetes as a result of using them, however this is untrue, your body reacts the same way it reacts to too much sugar, and can cause you to gain weight. Weight gain is a side effect of obesity, so you actually increase your chances of getting diabetes by using these artificial sweeteners. For those of you who thought that diet sodas were a safe choice from these sugary sodas, I am sorry to tell you that you were wrong. There is plenty of research out there showing just how wrong you are, another study from the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Harvard Medical School, shows that diet soda is in fact linked to a number of health issues, including obesity, one reason is the artificial sweeteners. These studies also show that these beverages may cause changes in overall behavior and mental health, and may lead to further addiction for sugary drinks and foods. The study at the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that the more diet sodas are consumed, the greater the risk for weight gain. This study does not show that diet soda does not help you lose weight; essentially, artificial sweeteners disturb the body’s ability to control calorie intake and sugar, due to crossed signals from chemically improper sweeteners driving metabolisms the wrong way. Harvard’s study was done on 3,000 women to determine the effects of diet soda; these women drank two or more diet sodas per day as part of the study. This was to mimic the average consumption of diet drinks among a large demographic of women in the U.S. Published in Prevention 2012, this study indicated that these women demonstrated a palpable loss of kidney function, however the women in this study who drank regular sodas did not. I am not advocating drinking regular sodas, I say run far, far away from them, but this study does show a serious health problem associated with diet sodas. Beyond bringing about metabolic disturbances, diet soda also contributes to dental problems as well, since diet sodas are found to be so acidic, drinking three or more daily contributes to dental problems, along with the weight gain, liver function issues, and behavioral health. If you need more reasons why you should stay away from all diet sodas, all you need to do is look at the back of the bottle: carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium citrate, natural flavors, citric acid, and caffeine. You already know about carbonated water aspartame, and caffeine, let me break the other ingredients down for you.

Caramel color, it sounds innocent enough, after all it is made by a process of heating corn or cane sugar and other carbohydrates to achieve the desired color. However, research published by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program showed that long-term exposure to 4-methylimidazole, a contaminant in the caramel coloring, and leads to an increase in lung cancer in males and female mice. As a result, it has been added to California’s Proposition 65 list of carcinogens. Another study, in 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has also concluded that caramel coloring is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Unfortunately you can find caramel coloring in so many other products besides sodas like baked goods, and soy sauces.

Phosphoric acid is used to add tartness to the beverage, and contains phosphorus, one of the basic elements of nature that in some ways is an essential nutrient. However, this ingredient is what erodes tooth enamel. Additional research has also linked this ingredient, with excessive exposure, to additional adverse health issues. A study found in the Journal Epidemiology, drinking two or more colas a day, diet or regular, was associated with a twofold risk of developing kidney disease, they indicated that phosphoric acid in colas has been associated with urinary changes that can promote kidney stones., and if left untreated can lead to chronic kidney disease.

Bottom line, just because something claims to be natural, from nature, or zero-calorie, it does not mean that it is wise to drink it. When it comes to any type of soda, the fewer the better, and as far as diet drink, water, or water mixed with juice would be the best.

References

International Business, T. (2002) Diet Soda: Research Sparks Debate on Risks of Heart Disease, Stroke. International Business Times.

SAWYER, D. (2008). GMA MEDICAL ALERT. Good Morning America (ABC), 1.

Maugh,Thomas H.,,II. (2007) New health risks from soft drinks; even diet soda increases risk of metabolic syndrome. Edmonton Journal.

Study: Diet soda associated with same heart risks as regular soda. (2007) Northwest Florida Daily News.

Mieszkowski, K. (2007) Life will kill you; can diet soda, cellphones and makeup give you cancer? the author of the secret history of the war on cancer discusses the health risks of, well, living. The Ottawa Citizen.

This world health day let's say no to aspartame. (2013) The Northlines.

As sugar substitutes proliferate, so do worries about health risks. (1991) Pantagraph.

American association of clinical endocrinologists AACE; cause and effect: Case report shows an association between sugar substitutes and common thyroid disorder. (2013). Diabetes Week, , 17.

Seriously?. (2009) Scientists of two minds on aspartame and the brain. The Globe and Mail.

Elston, S. (2006) Aspartame may not be as harmless as you think. The Intelligencer

Parker, H. (2010) A sweet problem: Princeton researchers find that high-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain

Splenda Alters Gut Microflora and Increases Intestinal P-Glycoprotein and Cytochrome P-450 in Male Rats (2008) Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues, Volume 71, Issue
21

The Chocolate Truth

          In my inbox, just this week, were four articles on how dark chocolate was good for you, suggesting you run out to the store and get that dark chocolate fix. You go out, buy that yummy dark chocolate candy bar, and it feels great. You have energy, and your mood improves, then here it comes, Crash! You lose all of that energy, your mood darkens, and all you want is more chocolate. Yes, dark chocolate is better for you than milk chocolate, however the dark chocolate you get today is so highly processed that it loses most of its nutrients and antioxidant strengths. This basically provides you with nothing more than excess fat and processed sugar. There is also a difference between cacao and cocoa, which I will get into a bit later.

          Today, the majority of cacao is mixed with sugar, dairy, and other chemicals to create the chocolate candies people consume, and these sugary snacks are not what you want. The percentages you see on chocolate bar wrappers are a marketing push. Just because a chocolate bar says 71 percent cacao, it does not mean it is good for you. This candy is artery-clogging and makes you gain weight. I am writing this article to give you the raw truth about chocolate, and tell you more about the impressive health benefits of the raw cacao bean, how you can buy it, and how you can incorporate this super food into your diet.

          So what is cacao? Cacao, pronounced ka-cow, is the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate. These untreated seeds are a super food, and offers you a wealth of antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals.

          The Mayan and Aztec peoples considered the liquid that was formed from cooking the cacao pod as “the blood of the Earth,” and a profoundly sacred substance. Their ruling class liked to combine this liquid with herbs, nuts, seeds, chilies, vanilla, and honey, and drank it during engagement and wedding ceremonies, baptismal rites, and funerals. Archeologists found evidence of this from residue on a Mesoamerican burial vessel. By 1375 A.D. the Aztecs had come to revere the cacao pod, which contains the seeds, as a symbol of the human heart. The cacao beans were even used as currency in ancient Mexico, instead of gold, that is how valuable it was. It was believed that this raw chocolate had magical powers, maybe so, I do know, however, that it is a fantastic super food since it is loaded with vitamins and minerals that our bodies need.

           These cacao beans are grown on small trees, named Theobroma cacao, which literally translates to “cacao, the food of the gods” in the Greek language. These trees are native to Mexico, and Central and South America. Each cacao pod that emerges from the tree typically contains between 40 and 60 cacao seeds. After harvested, the pods are opened; the seeds are then removed, and then undergo a natural fermentation and drying process. After this process is completed, within 1-2 weeks, you are left with raw cacao beans.

          To make the chocolate found in those above mentioned chocolate candy bars, these raw cacao beans are roasted to form cocoa, which is then combined with sugar and fats until the beans are no longer recognizable. The high heat during this roasting process reduces the levels of antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals, naturally found in the raw cacao, which minimizes the powerful health benefits. In order to get these health benefits, you must eat the “raw,” non-roasted cacao beans.

          I can agree, there is something oh, so special about chocolate. However, we all want to be healthy as well, so let us skip those sugary-filled candy bars, and go for a handful of raw cacao beans instead. What are these health benefits I keep talking about?

          Raw cacao beans are high in protein, beneficial fats, and vitamins and minerals. These beans contain the richest natural source for magnesium, an important mineral which tends to be highly deficient in modern diets. Raw cacao contains other essential minerals like calcium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, and potassium. The raw cacao is also high in vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, E, and an excellent source of natural sulfur, a mineral associated with healthy skin, nails, hair, and proper liver and pancreas function. Raw cacao contains essential heart-healthy fat: oleic acid a monounsaturated fat, and fiber.

          Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid, and is considered one of the healthier sources of fat in a person’s diet. Health experts often recommend using it in cooking, and a number of those “so-called” health foods and diet products will use this compound in place of animal fats. Oleic acid is also found in many nuts and seeds, 

it can also be found readily in most poultry, particularly chicken and turkey. It is found in olive oil as well, which is why it is a healthier choice of oil than canola, or vegetable oils. Most experts agree that oleic acid is one of the better fats for us to consume, it can lower total cholesterol levels by raising blood concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (good cholesterol), while reducing low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol). It has also been shown to slow the development of heart disease, and also promotes the production of antioxidants. Although oleic acid is good for our bodies, like with any fat, an overabundance could cause adverse health effects. No matter what, the fact remains, that raw cacao is the most medicinal of any chocolate product, on the market today, and contains the highest levels of immune enhancing antioxidants polyphenols, procyanidins, and other flavonoids. All of these are known to protect against a wide range of ailments, especially heart disease.

          Dietary flavonoids, which are widely abundant in plant-based foods, have been shown to improve cognitive function. It has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia, and to enhance performance on some cognitive tests, as well as improve the cognitive function, in the elderly with mild impairment, with a regular intake of flavonoids. The alkaloids, which are also found in raw cacao, along with the proteins, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic, lipase, lysine, and theobromine, all work together to improve, not only our mental health, but our physical health as well. A good example here would be the theombromine, which helps to stimulate the central nervous system, relax smooth muscles, and dilate blood vessels, which gives the body a boost of energy. The flavanols, which are found in cacao, green tea, and some fruits, seems to be effective in slowing down, or even reversing, impaired cognitive functions, which occurs with aging. These flavanols have also been shown to improve, and to lower blood pressure, enhances circulation by promoting dilation, strength, and health of blood vessels. The flavanols in cacao increases a key compound in the body, called nitric oxide, which is critical for healthy blood flow, healthy blood pressure, and cardiovascular health. It can also reduce the plaque buildup on your artery walls. This is different from the chocolate candy bars you find in the supermarket today, with all of the creams, fats, and sugars; it raises your LDL, and causes the plaque to buildup on your artery walls, thus increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke.

          Cacao also contains, what are called “bliss chemicals,” which are phenylethylamine (PEA) and anandamide. PEA is an adrenal-related chemical, which is a chemical we naturally produce when we are excited. This chemical also plays a role in us feeling focused and alert, since it causes our pulse rate to quicken, which gives us a similar feeling to when we are excited, or fall in love, even drink coffee. The other “bliss chemical” is the lipid anandamide, which is found in our brain when we feel great. Anandamide is also called “chocolate amphetamine” because it causes changes in blood pressure and blood-sugar levels, leading to feelings of excitement and alertness. Like amphetamines, anandamide works to increase mood and decrease depression, however, is not addictive like caffeine, nor is it illegal with all of the undesirable side-effects that accompany amphetamines. In fact, anandamide actually resembles THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the chemical found in marijuana. The good news is, even though the anandamide in chocolate helps to create this feeling of elation, the effect is not the same as the THC found in marijuana. It would take approximately twenty five pounds of chocolate to achieve the “high” you would get from marijuana, and of course, the nausea would overpower any feeling of bliss you would receive.

          The antioxidant properties of the flavonoids, and the essential minerals and vitamins, which are found in raw cacao, can neutralize the free radicals found in your body. If you will recall a previous article, where I explained free radicals in detail, free radicals basically are damage done to your normal molecule production from outside forces, like sun exposure, pollution, cigarette smoking, etc. This over time can cause a lot of disease, like cancer, and premature aging. However, the high levels of antioxidants, which are found in raw cacao, protect your body from a buildup of these free radicals.
When eating cacao raw, you receive an extraordinary amount of dietary fiber, which supports your digestion, and stimulate your body’s production of digestive enzymes. You can blend, crush, and micronize this raw cacao, and it will still help cleanse your intestines, and improve your digestive system. Raw cacao can also help regulate your bowel movements. A 1 ounce serving of raw cacao nibs contains 36 percent of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber, or 9 grams. According to studies, even adding as little as 6.6 grams of cacao fiber per day, to your diet, will improve your bowel habits. So many diets, these days, are low in dietary fiber, and by including raw cacao in your diet, like in a morning smoothie, can help increase your daily fiber intake.

          Raw cacao is crunchy and not sweet at all. They taste like nuts, with an intense, bitter chocolate flavor. They are made from the seeds, or beans, of the cacao tree. You keep this raw cacao, in whatever form you get, in a cool, dry place, or in the freezer if you are keeping it longer than a few weeks. Raw cacao is great on, or in desserts; however you can also toss them in salads, or use as a garnish for meat dishes. You can make your own version of that candy bar, like people did before the industrial age, by using a coffee grinder, and grinding the raw cacao nibs and granulated raw sugar or raw stevia (2/3 parts nibs to 1/3 parts raw sugar or raw stevia for bittersweet). This will make a paste; then melt raw cacao butter, or raw coconut oil, in the paste by using a double boiler over simmering water, or at a low temperature in the oven. Place in a mold, and refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes.

          Harvard did a study on the Kuna Indian tribe, off of the coast of Panama. In this study they had a unique chance to examine the health benefits of dark chocolate, in a controlled way, since close to the Kuna indian tribe, there lived other tribes of identical genetic heritage, with a very similar diet, and identical lifestyle habits. There was one difference; however, the Kuna tribe had cacao trees. The Kuna tribe would consume up to five cups of a bitter dark chocolate drink, on a daily basis, which resulted in them having lower rates of all major diseases, as well as a longer average life expectancy. Too, the world’s oldest human being to have ever lived (that was officially documented), was Jeanne Louise Calment, of France. She lived to be 122, and the people around her said that one of her secrets to longevity was her consumption of 2.5 pounds of bitter chocolate a week. Could you imagine how much better their health would be, and how much longer Ms. Calment would have lived, if they had known about the health benefits of the raw cacao bean?

Nutritional Properties of Raw Cacao

Raw Cacao Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 1 ounce (= ¼ cup or 28g)
Calories 160, Fat 11g (of which Saturated Fat 4g), Sodium 30 mg, Carbohydrate 14g, Fibre 9g, Sugars 3g, Protein 1g, Vitamin C 42mg

Magnesium:

Cacao is remarkably rich in magnesium, and seems to be higher in magnesium than any other food. This may explain why so many women crave chocolate before, or during their menstrual cycle. Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and is associated with creating more happiness. Studies have shown that magnesium is the most deficient major mineral in the Standard American Diet (SAD), it seems that over 80 percent of Americans are chronically deficient in magnesium.

Caffeine:

Raw cacao contains subtle amounts of caffeine and theobromine. However experiments have shown that these stimulants are far different when consumed raw, rather than cooked.

MAO Inhibitors:

Raw cacao seems to diminish appetite, most likely due to its monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). These inhibitors are different from digestive enzymes, and found in most nuts and seeds. These rare MAO inhibitors actually produce flavorable results when consumed by allowing more serotonin, and other neurotransmitters to circulate in the brain. These inhibitors can also facilitate youthening and rejuvenation.

Phenylethylamine (PEA):

Phenylethylamine (PEA) found in raw cacao, is an adrenal-related chemical that is also created within the brain and released when we are in love. This is one of the reasons why love and chocolate have a deep correlation. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.

Anandamide (“The Bliss Chemical”):

Anandamide is also produced naturally in the brain. Anandamide is known as "The Bliss Chemical" because it is released while we are feeling good. Cacao contains enzyme inhibitors that decrease our body’s ability to breakdown anandamide. This means that natural anandamide and/or cacao anandamide may stick around longer, making us feel good longer when we eat cacao.

How to Eat and Use Cacao:

          The most common form of raw cacao you can find is in powder form, which is easy to use in so many ways.

If you use the whole beans, just simply crunch them between your fingers to loosen and remove the peel. You can use the beans whole, or grind them in a spice mill, coffee grinder, or food processor. You can add both forms to smoothies, teas, desserts, raw food bars, or any dish that calls for the delicious flavor of chocolate. You can also eat them straight, a tablespoon at a time. Chew thoroughly, and experience the taste of this raw cacao. You can sprinkle it on yogurt, granola, desserts, etc. 

Raw cacao can also be found as raw cacao nibs, in many raw food bars, and cookies. You can even find raw cacao butter. You can use the raw cacao nibs in the place of semi-sweet chocolate chips in many desserts. Be sure and read the food labels, you are looking for “raw” chocolate,” or “raw cacao”. Raw beans are not roasted, only fermented and dried, which conserves their super food nutrients. Avoid labels that read “roasted chocolate,” or “roasted cacao,” which as you know means that the beans were roasted, thus being stripped of these natural nutrients your body needs. You can find raw cacao in many health food stores, raw food stores, and online.

Now that you know the raw truth about chocolate, what are your feelings regarding those oh, so yummy chocolate candy bars? It turns out that all the bad things you commonly find in these chocolate candy bars: like cavities, weight gain, and diabetes, which are all caused by the dairy, sugar, and other fillers which are added to the processed chocolate. Compared that to the health benefits of the raw cacao beans, butter, nibs, and powder; which are weight loss, prevention of cavities, regulation of blood sugar, and cardiovascular health, how can you pass on these raw treasures?

Sudano, I., Flammer, A. J., Roas, S., Enseleit, F., Ruschitzka, F., Corti, R., & Noll, G. (2012). Cocoa, blood pressure, and vascular function. Current Hypertension Reports, 14(4), 279-84. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11906-012-0281-8

C ...is for chocoholic. (2007) O : The Oprah Magazine, 8, 190. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/219615672?accountid=39364

Sampson, S. (2005, Mar 26). The original chocolate. Toronto Star. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/438791204?accountid=39364

Wilson, P. K. (2010). The art of medicine: Centuries of seeking chocolate's medicinal benefits. The Lancet, 376(9736), 158-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/619748772?accountid=39364

Stote, K. S., Clevidence, B. A., Novotny, J. A., Henderson, T., Radecki, S. V., & Baer, D. J. (2012). Effect of cocoa and green tea on biomarkers of glucose regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation and homeostasis in obese adults at risk for insulin resistance. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 66(10), 1153-9. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.101

Messerli, F. H. (2012). Chocolate consumption, cognitive function, and nobel laureates. The New England Journal of Medicine, 367(16), 1562-4. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1113331773?accountid=39364

Dieting Boomerang, Stop This Destructive Cycle

Obesity Rates 1990-2010

By Joy Dalton

We live in a wonderful age of enlightenment and advanced medicines, so we should be some of the most fit, most well human beings. But you will most often find that the opposite is true. What happened to us? The obesity rate in the United States, and worldwide, is the highest it has ever been.




You pick up magazines, or watch television, and you are bombarded with health and fitness information, advertisements, and articles, about the latest diet trends from the latest diet guru, diet plans, and information on the best possible ways to lose weight. When you lose weight, all you do is find it again, and you end up with this boomerang cycle that never ends. We have all tried these diets, and they simply did not work. What does dieting mean to you? When you think of the work diet, does it make you want to cringe? After all, it does have the word “die” in it. Or do you think about counting calories, or weighing in?

Research has shown that gradual change seems to work better when it comes to meeting your long-term goal. To me, dieting means a temporary way of doing things, versus making a lifestyle change. The word diet makes me think of limiting what I enjoy eating, or what I eat. Some people relate the word “diet” with failure almost immediately. Dieting is also a way of restricting what you consume in some way, and some things your body needs to function properly. Limiting will sometimes make your body want to rebel. If I say I cannot have this, or I cannot have that, it makes me unhappy, and I start to dread eating. If you start to think of reducing weight as a lifestyle change, it can be the key to success for your weight loss goals. Too, if you are not careful, eating can turn into an addiction, and for those addicted to food and eating, it is not as simple as giving it up altogether, like it is to give up cigarettes, because you will not survive if you do not eat.

Food will need to be viewed more positively for someone looking to get around this difficulty, in order to change their lifestyle. This is usually why, when we diet, it most likely will fail. Many diets do not take the time to work on our way of viewing food, and most only focuses on what foods are good for us, and which ones are bad for us. This is not enough to convince us to lose weight, or even keep it off. Dieting gets you off on the wrong foot by making you feel starved, or punished, and this is not the way to go about starting something that is supposed to give you a positive change. To add insult to injury, when you stray from your chosen diet, you tend to punish yourself, and you in turn feel guilty.

A good thing for us to do would be stop counting calories, and start eating healthier foods which will improve our overall health. A lifestyle change is needed to get you on the right track to weight loss success. It is also the best way to avoid feeling guilty with each and every step of your healthy diet. Another good thing to do is plan weight loss goals, you must, however, remember to make these goals realistic, but a challenge at the same time. A Healthy lifestyle means eating healthy, and a regular exercise routine, with both you will notice an improvement in the way you feel in a matter of weeks. You will enjoy more energy and a zest for life! Changes such as eating wheat or whole grain pasta can have a positive impact on the way you eat. Another idea would be to set a goal of eating five servings of vegetables per day. These changes are small, but can have a huge impact on your life. The results of these changes will not happen overnight, they are gradual, but you will reap great rewards from them. Making a healthy lifestyle change will work better than most of those pesky diets out there.

By changing the way you eat, you will change your attitude towards food in general, and you will start to see that weight changes are indeed possible. When you drop some weight, you will find that it becomes easier to include exercise in your daily routine, and you will have the extra energy to do it. Depending upon the amount of weight you wish to lose, the time it takes you to drop this weight can vary, and in some cases, it can take years. As long as you are continuously chipping away at your goals, you will be making a positive change towards your long term health. When you think of lifestyle changes, it makes you think positive thoughts. From quitting smoking, to spending more time at home, changes in your lifestyles are usually for the
better. When you think of changing the way you eat, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you look at your life, dieting really does not seem to fit long term.

You diet, meaning what you eat every day includes everything you consume, and it is consistent. When you speak of dieting, any changes made seem to be temporary. As in, if you stop dieting, you go back to consuming what you did before you started the diet. I believe that is why most diets fail; people tend to change what they eat, and even how they live for a brief period. Then when they get their desired results, they go back to living the way they did before. When you make a lifestyle change, you are going for something more permanent. They type of change affects the way you live your life, for the rest of your life. If you change the way you eat for the long haul, thinking of it as a lifestyle change instead of a diet, you will have a system that will change your life for the better.

A change, such as eating dinner before nightfall versus eating after dark, can make an impact on the way you live. Drinking a glass of water instead of drinking soda can be a lifestyle change that makes long-term impact. Committing to take a walk after dinner before leisure activities can also make a positive impact on your life. So try to make a lifestyle change instead of starting another diet, or the newest diet trend. Making a lifestyle change relating to the way you eat, act, and feel can make a positive impact on your life. The goal is to remain healthy your entire life. Set a long-term goal to be healthy and active for the rest of your life, , instead of for just a portion of it. When you set a long-term goal to be healthy, you will see just how it can impact your life. I would wager that it is a change you can depend on.



References

Evens, J. (1992) Change lifestyle, instead of diet. Milwaukee Sentinel, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/333335279?accountid=39364

Barczak, C. (1988) With today’s fast lifestyle, “tip-sheet” eating can work better than plain, old dieting controlled grazing, Toronto Star, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/435715880?accountid=39364

Pabst, G. (1994) Halting the diet cycle. Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/333668137?accountid=39364

If money wasn't an issue, how would you discover your life's purpose?

By Joy Dalton

Your life's purpose is the real reason why your here, and the very reason why you exist on Earth today. Let's ponder this question, we live in trying times, companies lay off people left and right, people live with physical disabilities or illnesses from this stress and anxiety, and you find many in financial ruin. It seems like there is no hope and opportunity. Maybe you're one of those people who thinks that life has no purpose, this doesn't matter, it will creep up on you anyway. All this lack of belief will just make it take longer for you to find it. In fact, not living your life's purpose is the biggest reason your body, mind, and spirit is out out balance. It can cause stress in your life, depression, and can make you feel as though things are just not right in the world.

Life happens, there are a lot of people out there losing their jobs, losing loved ones, ending relationships, coming down with illnesses, and a lot are just starting over. But how do you handle this financially? We all know that life challenges can be easier to deal with when you are working and receiving a paycheck every week, or two weeks. But what happens when you stop receiving this check? What happens if you find out you have cancer, diabetes, or even high blood pressure. What happens when you separate from a spouse? Pressures in life can be exhausting, and the belief that everything will work out seems lost, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. But how do you identify the opportunity, maximize on your life event, and start moving towards a greater success, love, abundance, and creativity in your life.

To start, let me explain the realms that people find themselves living in, then I will explain how to move through, then out of the lower realms into your God/Goddess Realm so you can start living your life's purpose. You will find there are several realms that people live through.

“Hell Realm.” Here you are defined by your hatred and rage, and you define all other beings as enemies. You have no compassion, or desire for change when it arises. You are in a constant state of fight, and you suffer the consequences from those actions. Everything never seems to go your way, you love drama, and you don't even realize that you have enslaved yourself here. You are good at certain activities, however there are more people better than you are. There are way too many people who continually stay in this realm, wasting their energy, when they can reach a higher success for themselves.

“Ghost Realm.” In this realm you are transparent, you are competent with the activities you can do, however other people can do them just as well as you can. You spend way too much energy here, allowing certain emotional states to consume you, and you cannot focus on anything else. Even though life is going alright for you, you are getting by and functioning, however you are still not living your dream life. You are simply not living your true life's purpose, since you are focusing more on your wants.

“Demigod/Goddess Realm.” You are defined by jealousy and competitiveness here, you have more opportunities here, and you are prone to staying here. This can be a dangerous trap for you. You have a great life, and you're a master of this life. Life is going well most of the time, and you make a good living in here, however if you remain in this realm for too long you keep yourself from moving into your higher realm. Staying here can be addicting since your personal comfort wants you to stay here, along with your family, friends, and any organization you may be associated with. You are reliable in this realm, and you are a steady supply for everything that your family may need, as well as your friends, and organizations, which they thrive on. However, when you stay in this realm for too long a part of you withers and dies.

“God/Goddess Realm.” Here you are defined with bliss, happiness, and abundance in your life. You attain liberation from your mediocre life. Your ultimate goal in life, here, is to make life satisfying. You find your niche in life, and draw on your strengths. All of these things call to you from deep within you.. You have the secret knowledge of the universe, and your consciousness is otherworldly. You have more than mastered your life, you have mastered life and are able to orchestrate this beautiful symphony of knowledge that you have learned getting here. You can help others by passing on this knowledge. You are beyond yourself, and you are here to help the greater good of all mankind. You are empathic, meaning you can absorb things like a sponge would absorb water.

People sometimes find, as they reach 40, they tune out the call to live their life's purpose. This tune out can cause a lot of health problems that you will have to deal with. Examples are depression, physical ailments, injuries, and even relationship conflicts. These these things are here to remind you that you need to spend more time feeding your souls, or your inner God/Goddess, so you can let it do its magic in the world. When you fail to live your life's purpose, you are continually receiving this call. But how do you live your life's purpose?

First off, start eating better, all those fast food restaurants are killing you slowly. When you eat nutritiously you feed your body the nutrients it needs, and you give your body the energy it needs for what comes next. Shifting your mindset is an important step, and can assist you in connecting with your true heart's desire. You do this by getting rid of your false belief triggers that is keeping you from moving forward. These false belief triggers are based on fear, which actually means “false evidence appearing real.” There are four barriers, and they all have one thing in common, although they seem true and real, they are actually based on false beliefs, and are neither true or real. The form that these false beliefs take, depends upon an event that has happen earlier in your young life, sometime before the age of seven.

But how can we get rid of these false beliefs? You take these beliefs as being true and real, that is until you can shine an awareness on them, and learn how to eliminate them from your daily life. The power of awareness, on several actions, allows you to notice just how your particular false belief operates. Once you have seen your false belief in action, you have a new tool to use, which helps you live your life's purpose. By overcoming these false beliefs you can feel a new freedom, and will be able to invent your life based on your natural abilities, and begin living your life's purpose.

It doesn't take much time to do the things you need to do to overcome these triggers. It only takes seconds to locate and acknowledge, a feeling in your body, like the false beliefs or sadness. And it only takes a few seconds to communicate a truth to another person, a truth that can restore wholeness to not only you, but to them as well. As you go along your path of discoveries, you will do well to adopt the attitude of self love, instead of blame, since being lighthearted about your triggers will help you progress that much faster into living your life's purpose, instead of criticizing every little thing. When you keep a cheerful attitude you will find these triggers just dissolve and transform quicker than if you allow yourself to give you a hard time about it. When you're willing to adopt this playful attitude toward yourself, and your shortcomings, you can make a huge leap to living your life's purpose. It is also easier to laugh, instead of fretting over things, and laughing is much more fun for those who are around you. You can learn a lot more about yourself when you have a spirit of wonder and enjoyment, rather than with an attitude of criticism. When you live your life on purpose, you will find prosperity in every area of your life.

Take the step to live consciously, allow yourself to make more room in your awareness for abundance, love, and success. Use the resources of your whole being, not just your mind, then embrace a new story that tells about your adventures. Find a new mythology, or make up your own, one that shows that you are enjoying your life in the full radiance of your expressed potential.

Those of us who have the courage to discover, and bring about change in our lives, will break through to unparalleled heights of productivity, and life satisfaction. When we start discover our life's purpose that we are here on this earth for, we then take a huge leap to greater love, abundance, and happiness. Everything up till now was only hops, not leaps, and hopping through life may seem safe, however it is actually hazardous to your health. By confining yourself to hops, you run the risk of rusting from the inside out.

Namaste

Joy

Purple Fruits & Vegetables

Purple Fruits and Vegetables  By Joy Dalton

When watching cooking shows, reading cook books, or visiting a restaurant, you can see a variety of ingredients being used; however, you rarely find too many purple fruits and vegetables except for a blueberry or two. In fact, if your super market is anything like mine, you probably do not see too many in there as well. You see can see a sea of green vegetables all around, green vegetables are great, they contain Chlorophyll, Fiber, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Calcium, Folate, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Beta-carotene. All these nutrients help to reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure, LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health, vision, fight harmful free-radicals, and boost the immune system. However, when you view vegetables in only one color, green, you are missing out on a group of fruits and vegetables that people get far too little of, the purple ones.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables, like the green ones carry luten zeaxanthin, vitamin C, and fiber, and support retinal health, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune the immune system, and support healthy digestion. These purple gems go even further because they also contain resveratrol, flavonoids, elegiac acid, and quercetin, all of whom are known to improve calcium and other mineral absorption, fight inflammation, reduce tumor growth, act as anti-carcinogens (anti-cancer causing) in the digestive tract, and limit the activity of cancer cells.

In fact the more colorful the fruit or vegetable, the more nutrients it contains, especially that anti-cancer causing properties along with the antioxidants with low calories. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, purple foods contain more of the ant-cancer cause nutrient, called anthocyanin, which is what is responsible for those purple, blue, and red colors of these fruits and vegetables. As an antioxidant, anthocyanin protects against cell damage from the free radicals you come in contact with in your everyday lives.

What are these free radicals you hear about, like here in this article; however, to understand what free radicals are, you must first understand a bit about cells and molecules. Here’s some physiology/chemistry 101. The human body is composed of many different types of cells. Cells are composed of many different types of molecules. Molecules consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by chemical bonds.

Atoms consist of a nucleus, neutrons, protons, and electrons. The number of protons (positively charged particles) in the atom’s nucleus determines the number of electrons (negatively charged particles) surrounding the atom. Electrons are involved in chemical reactions, and are the substance that bonds atoms together to form molecules. Electrons surround, or “orbit” an atom in one or more shells. When the innermost shell is full, it has two electrons. When the first shell if full, electrons begin to fill the second shell, when the second shell has eight electrons, it is full, and so on.

The most important structural feature of an atom, for determining its chemical behavior, is the number of electrons in its outer shell. A substance that has a full outer shell tends not to enter in chemical reactions (an inert substance). Because atoms seek to reach a state of maximum stability, an atom will try to fill its outer shell by either gaining or losing electrons to either fill or empty its outer shell; or sharing its electrons by bonding together with other atoms in order to complete its outer shell. By sharing electrons, the atoms are bound together, and satisfy the conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.

Now to free radicals, which are formed when these weak bonds are split. Free radicals are very unstable, and react quickly with other compounds trying to capture the needed electron to gain stability. Generally these free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, “stealing” its electron. When this molecule is “attacked”, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once this chain reaction is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the total disruption of a living cell.

Some free radicals form normally during metabolism, and the body’s immune system’s cells will purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, other environmental factors, such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides can also spawn free radicals. Normally, the body can handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Too, free radical damage can accumulate with age.

So these purple fruits and vegetables, with their vitamins C and E, and anthocyanin can help protect the body against these destructive effects of free radicals. They neutralize the free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron “stealing” reaction. These nutrients themselves do not become free radicals by donating an electron because they are stable in either from. They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease. Anthocyanin has also been studied for its effectiveness as an anti-carcinogen.

A carcinogen is a substance that is capable of causing cancer in humans or animals. If a substance is known to promote or aggravate cancer, but does not necessarily cause cancer, it may also be called a carcinogen. There are many things that are believed to cause cancer; a substance is only considered carcinogenic if there is significant evidence of its carcinogenicity. One, or more of these carcinogens may act on DNA, which causes dangerous changes, or it may work to increase the rate of cell division. This change in cell division may work to increase the probability of the DNA changes. Other carcinogens promote the development of cancer in other ways as well. Carcinogens do not necessarily lead to cancer after every exposure, some cause cancerous changes following high-level prolonged exposure, while others may cause damage at lower levels and shorter exposure periods. Too, your unique genetic makeup may influence the body’s response to any particular carcinogen. Many substances have been identified as carcinogenic, such as asbestos, radon, certain pesticides, arsenic, and tobacco smoke, which includes the smokeless tobacco. Even the sun, which is vital to life, is a major carcinogen. It emits ultraviolet rays (UV) that are carcinogenic, and is known to lead to a variety of cancers affecting the skin.

Unfortunately, carcinogens can be found in everything from snack foods and drinks, to certain types of plastic and everyday objects. You may remember reading that something you have used for years has made it to this list as a known carcinogen. There may be others, now you do not know about, one thing I learned by writing this article is that chlorine is one such carcinogen. We all have used chlorine for disinfecting water for bathing, drinking, and swimming. At the same time, its byproducts are capable of causing a range of illnesses, including lung cancer. Every two years the US federal government releases the Report of Carcinogens, by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, where they identify substances and circumstances that are “known” or are “reasonably anticipated” to cause cancer. Each year this cancer-causing list grows, with now over 246. Some new are compounds found in grilled meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes, paints, and inks.

In the US, 1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer at some point in their lifetimes. Research shows that environmental factors will trigger it, especially when someone has a family history. Luckily, if we eat the right types of foods, we can help to protect ourselves from contracting such diseases. These purple fruits and vegetables have the antioxidant properties, like I have already mention, that can protect our cells from these free radicals that can cause cancer. The antioxidants called phytonutrients, are not only antioxidants, but also actively involved in balancing enzyme activity inside the cells. The dietary fiber, which is found in these fruits and vegetables, protects against cancer in a variety of ways. Firstly, it provides a healthy colon by stimulating muscle activity with its bulk, encouraging “friendly” bacteria, like acidophilus and bifidus, to grow and minimizing yeast overgrowth by maintaining a healthy acid/alkaline balance. The human body is 30 percent acid and 70 percent alkaline. When the body’s acid/alkaline balance is more acidic, we will tend to have more colds, and have an overall sick feeling in our bodies. These fruits and vegetables help with this, especially when you eat them raw. Secondly, dietary fiber provides bulk that speeds the transit through the colon and reduces any tendency to constipation. Thirdly, this bulk dilutes any potentially harmful dietary components, and reduces the time they might interact with the walls of the intestine. This is one good reason why a high fiber diet is associated with a lower incidence of colo-rectal cancers. You will find too, that when you are eating more dietary fiber, like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and other foods from the plant kingdom, you are eating less of the foods from the animal kingdom that do not have any fiber in them. This shift can help with the balance of the steroid hormones in your body from the animal, and it can also help with your cholesterol

If you have not seen enough reason as to why to incorporate these purple fruits and vegetables in your diet, here’s an even better reason. According to a study, people who eat purple vegetables have a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, a common metabolic disorder that is a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes. This study also showed that people who eat these purple fruits and vegetables have lower blood pressures, and smaller waists. Another study showed that purple fruits and vegetables reduce age-related conditions of the brain, and yet another study showed that a diet rich in purple potatoes help with osteoporosis, and those women who started eating purple potatoes after being diagnosed saw a 10 percent increase in bone density. These seem to be some compelling reasons to add more purple fruit and vegetables to your dies, now which one will you add?

Purple potatoes	Eggplant	Purple beans	Blueberries	Purple cauliflower
Purple asparagus	Hawaiian yams	Taro	German red cabbage	Beets
Purple figs	Purple grapes	Black raspberries	Purple bell pepper	Radicchio
Swiss chard	Purple kale	Prunes

You cannot go wrong with these purple fruits and vegetables, however to get more purple, you can just choose from eggplant, plums, cranberries, or beets. Or try something more exotic like purple cauliflower, or potatoes. The purple pigment that gives these fruits and vegetables their brilliant color just may do some wonderful things for your body, and your taste buds.

MedicineNet.net (2013) Cancer Causing Agents - Carcinogens

Wang, C. (2009) Effects of Purple Sweet Potato on Bone Metabolism

Rhoades, R., Bell, D. (2013) Medical Physiology, Principles for Clinical Medicine, 4th Edition

Katzin, C (2012) Fighting Cancer with a Fork

Committee on Comparative Toxicity of Natrually Occurring Carcinogens (1996) Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens in the Human Diet: A comparison of Naturally Occurring and Synthetic Substances

Teow, C., Truong, V., McFeeters, R., Thompson, R., Pecota, K., Yencho, G. (2006) Antioxidant activities, phenolic and b-carotene contents of sweet potato genotypes with varying flesh colours.