Sweeteners, Sugars
My own experience is that reactions to the different types of sugars varies with each individual. Concentrated sugars increase yeast overgrowth, create an alcohol ferment, increase a sweet tooth, are detrimental for PKD/PLD and gives a headache, sometimes a migraine.
A sweetener that I enjoy is tupelo honey. Tupelo does not seem to cause any reactions within a body with cystic organs. Do continue to avoid all table sugar and high fructose corn syrup. HFCS causes browning of organs, can increase allergic responses, and is detrimental for PKD/PLD. Generally it is made from genetically modified corn.
Enjoy fruits
Dates, bananas, cinnamon and apple sauce add a sweet taste to baked goods. These are alkaline producing and beneficial.
Enjoy tupelo honey
Tupelo honey is high in laevulose as opposed to fructose. This honey does not crystalize. I enjoy its flavor and how it reacts within my cystic liver body. It is a really nice sweetener. I use this freely.
Enjoy Miracle Berry
Miracle berry coats the tongue receptors for about a half hour making all that is eaten taste sweet.
Avoid Table Sugar
Sugar is a hepatotoxin. It is really toxic to the liver as toxic as alcohol. Avoid all sugars.
Avoid HFCS high fructose corn syrup
Fructose, HFCS, and corn syrup all usually made from GMO processed corn, leading to browning of our organs especially the pancreas eventually leading to death of the islet cells of langerhans. Do NOT use this sweetener. The average American increased their consumption of HFCS (mostly from sugar sweetened drinks and processed food) from zero to over 60 pounds per person per year. During that time period, obesity rates have more than tripled and diabetes incidence has increased more than seven fold.
Avoid coconut sugar
I enjoy the taste however coconut sugar can create a slight headache with a cystic liver. Some with PLD have noticed that coconut oil causes liver cyst bloating.
Avoid xagave
Xagave is organic, considered a raw food (this
type of agave is heated to less than 140º); and contains many prebiotics. But for me
I have noticed a slight mild headache the following day.
Lemonade
½ cup fresh lemon juice
⅓ cup Xagave
4 cups ice cold water
Avoid beet sugar
Beet sugar can give a slight headache. If I get a headache (not always) I will get it immediately the next morning following ingestion of beet sugar. In Michigan all local sugar is beet sugar. All sugar beets are genetically modified in the USA.
Avoid Just Like Sugar
Made from chicory which may elevate blood pressure. A study of the Mediterranean diet included chicory. These researchers found chicory to be beneficial.
I have not experienced a rise in blood pressure after drinking almond or rice milk sweetened with Just like sugar. I don't enjoy the taste. The flavor of Just like sugar is not to my liking when made into almond milk ice cream. And some almond milk ice cream contains carrageenan.(to be avoided) This ice cream contains no dairy.
Chicory Root Benefits
Cholesterol:
It decrease the levels of serum LDL cholesterol in the blood.
Inflammation:
It contains vitamin C, one of the most powerful antioxidants.
Diabetes:
The inulin content is not digestible, so its lack of glucose can help promote
optimal blood sugar levels while also increasing stool bulk and consistency.
Constipation:
It provides soluble fiber, which improves digestion.
Gall Bladder Issues:
It builds resistance to gallstones and liver stones. By increasing the flow of bile,
it assists the body in digesting foods and liquids. The extra bile also helps break down fats in the body. Chicory root has a mild laxative effect, increases bile from the gallbladder, and decreases swelling.
Urinary Infections, Kidney Stones and Gout:
It has diuretic properties that provide protection for the urinary tract system and kidneys. Toxins are removed and the cleansing of the body is stimulated because of an increase in urine flow. It has been used to expel gravel, calcium deposits, and excess uric acid from the body, which helps to prevent gout and kidney stones.
Weight Loss:
Chicory root benefits weight loss because of the effect it has on the digestive system. It is an excellent source of fructooligosaccharides which help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. It also increases the rate of the break down of fats. It also helps with weight loss because it helps keep insulin levels low while enjoying sweet foods.
Natural Liver Cleanser:
Chicory root also supports the body's detoxification system through the liver and kidneys, and is believed to help with calcium absorption. Chicory also helps prevent jaundice and an enlarged liver when mixed with water. Because of Chicory Root potential for removing contaminants from the digestive system, the liver does not have to work as hard to filter out toxins that may have escaped into the bloodstream. It also acts as a gentle laxative and diuretic for removing excess water and toxins, and this can also reduce strain on the liver.
Anxiety:
It is a natural sedative and anti-inflammatory for the nervous system. If you have anxiety issues and still drink coffee, this sweetener can help.
Indigestion:
It acts as an herbal antacid, the root neutralizes acid and correct acid indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, vomiting, upset stomach. Because it stimulates bile production, this helps to speed up the digestive process after eating too much rich food.
Skin:
Used externally, the Chicory Root has healing properties for cuts, sunburn, swellings, hemorrhoids, and poison ivy. It reduces the inflammation of rheumatism and the pain of stiff and sore joints.
Allergens:
If you are allergic to ragweed, you may be allergic to the Chicory Root.
Chicory root studies
A naturally sweet, indigestible sugar derived from chicory roots (chicory Inulin), (the main ingredient in Just Like Sugar), fiuctooligosaccharides (FOS) is more than just a natural, noncaloric, non-glycemic sweetener: It is one of the most powerful prebiotics to be researched in the last decade. The subject of over 100 clinical studies, FOS is one of the best-documented natural nutrients for improving the healthy balance of bacteria in intestines and stimulating the growth of the beneficial bifidobacteria- also called "friendly flora"-that reside in the colon.
Avoid cane sugar
Cane sugar is terrible for me. In Hawaii our local sugar is cane sugar. Demerara sugar, Turbinado sugar and Muscovado sugar are unrefined dark brown sugars made from cane sugar. Sugar cane juice crystals also gives me an intense headache. I do NOT use this sweetener.
Avoid maple syrup
Maple syrup gives me a headache and the sniffles. I avoid this syrup. I rarely use this sweetener.
Avoid stevia
Though it has been found useful in PKD animal studies, I would wait for clinical trials. Stevia has caused kidney failure in some. I do NOT use this sweetener.
Avoid truvia
Truvia contains stevia. I do NOT use this sweetener.
