I listened to this Huberman Lab podcast on how sugar and processed foods affect your health yesterday. It was fascinating. Over the past 10 years as I transitioned from “clean eating” to paleo/primal to keto to carnivore, I’ve personally experienced phenomenal benefits by giving up sugar, processed foods, chocolate, cheese, ice cream and eventually all carbs and processed foods.
My life is just much better without any of these. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and energy wise the changes have been worth giving up great tasting foods. I’m stronger, leaner and have better mental clarity than I ever have in my life.
The podcast explained why.
Although I wasn’t expecting it, they also discussed sugar substitutes and what they do to humans. I already knew about the dangers of saccharine and aspartame. I’ve read about Splenda causing cancer and know it is banned in the UK. I’ve experienced the unpleasant digestion side-effects of erythritol and other sugar alcohol sweeteners so I know to avoid them.
But, I pretty much mainline pure stevia in my tea and have considered using monk fruit.
Not anymore.
According to the podcast guest, any sweetener causes an insulin response, which can result in undesirable health consequences, increased appetite and other gut issues. Listen to the podcast for specifics.
Damn.
That figures.
But, I’ve gone this far in my elimination diet, I might as well try to quit stevia too. Today is my first day going cold turkey.
The tea tastes bitter and kind of blah.
No shit Sherlock. Sugar (even fake sugar) makes everything taste better.
I’m going to go without any sweetener as an experiment and see what happens. If it goes well, that will become my new normal.
If I miss this one “treat” I allow myself, I’ll start using it again. After all, the rest of my diet is pristine and as far as I’m aware, I’ve experienced no ill side effects.
Time will tell.