Dr Oz: Artificial Sweeteners In Milk & Artificial Sweeteners Addictive

Dr Oz: Artificial Sweeteners Added To Flavored Milk?

Should artificial sweeteners be allowed in milk products? That is the question Dr. Oz is asking as he reveals important information you need to know about some of the most popular dairy products you probably feed your family every day. The dairy industry wants to make a drastic change to the labeling of dairy products, but could it cause your family harm? Keep reading to find out!

Dr Oz: What Is the Definition Of Milk?

Did you know that in order to still be labeled as “milk” the front of the label has to disclose the product has been changed if it contains artificial sweeteners, with phrases such as “less sugar” or “reduced calories?” Dr. Oz says the dairy industry is petitioning the FDA so they can be allowed to add artificial sweeteners to your favorite dairy products without putting anything on the front label, instead forcing you to read carefully in order to find the artificial sweetener listed on the back of the package as part of the list of ingredients. Do you think you have the right to know what is in the milk products that you feed your family? Should it be clearly stated on the front of the label as is the case per the current requirements? Dr. Oz says many of us, himself included, grew up believing milk is a wholesome part of a healthy diet, but could artificial sweeteners change all that?

Dr Oz: Are Artificial Sweeteners Addictive?

Dr. Oz explained that when artificial sweeteners enter the body they send a signal to the brain that is similar to drugs, and they do not even satisfy a sweet craving the same way that real sugar does. Due to that fact, you will actually eat more and more of the artificial stuff in order to satisfy your sweet tooth and that could potentially lead to an addiction of artificial sweeteners. Dr. Russell Greenfield, author Healthy Child, Whole Child, is very concerned about the potential harm this causes our children because we are constantly trying to feed them less sweets as they are being bombarded with ads for highly processed sugary foods that often contain artificial sweeteners. Dr. Greenfield added there has been no evidence that shows artificial sweeteners promote weight loss, noting it is actually quite the contrary because we are still living in an obesity epidemic with the incidence of type II diabetes on the rise. He says the last thing we need to do is add artificial sweeteners to the milk our children are drinking.

Dr Oz: Should Artificial Sweeteners Be Added To Milk?

Heather White, executive director at EWG, calls this move by the dairy industry a “legal gimmick” so they can change the definition of milk by adding artificial sweeteners to flavored milk. Heather explained the current requirements state the front of the milk label has to clearly state a phrase such as “reduced calories,” which sends a message to parents that the product contains an artificial sweetener. With the change the dairy industry is proposing, they would no longer be required to print anything on the front of the package. Heather White told Dr. Oz the dairy industry wants to make this change because they want to sell more milk. She says they believe kids are less likely to choose flavored milk if they see “low-calorie” on the front of the label, but Heather believes there are better ways to market to children without selling them “diet chocolate milk.”