Some people who crave sweets and realize their harmfulness, or perhaps have disabled the pancreas and so cannot use them, and have not learned to re-educate their appetites, turn to sugar substitutes as a way out of their dilemma. Such a course is not safe.
There are a number of products on the market which are used in the place of sugars, but they are harmful to the digestive tract and should not be used. Among these are saccharin, dulcin, and glucin. These sweeteners are not allowed to be used in food products.
Saccharin belongs to the great family of coal tar products, many of which are active heart poisons, hence it is not surprising that careful observation has shown it to be a highly injurious drug. Under its influence the heart's action is lessened in vigor and its continued use may give rise to serious injury.
The re-education of our taste desires is easier than many people think. It begins by securing a knowledge of that which is good for the health of the body. It is then followed by a balanced ration of good food which in time becomes so satisfying that the appetite is satisfied without the former usual amounts of sweet foods. From that point forward the interest in concentrated sweets declines until, with many people, they cease to be sources of special temptation; the desire for them has been superseded by desires for better foods.
