Sweet Stuff

by Doug Collins

The Artifically Sweetened Times, a new newspaper on sugar and aspartame issues, debuted this autumn, published in cooperation with the Idaho Observer, a progressive alternative monthly based in Spirit Lake, Idaho. The inaugural issue--in eight-page tabloid format--contains a surprising history of sugar and sugar refining, a process that became widespread only in the last millenium (no mention of sugar was ever made in ancient Greek or Chinese texts), and which was for centuries heavily dependent on slave labor.

The newspaper also contains an abundance of health-related criticism of all sweeteners, ranging from scientific to cultural to political. According to critics of aspartame (the artificial sweetener most used in diet sodas and other diet products), it can break down into methanol in the body, causing damaging high fevers and neurological damage, and can actually exacerbate the problems of diabetics. Fascinating reading. The publishers of the Artificially Sweetened Times sell the paper in bundles of 100 for $25, with the intent of your helping distribute them to your community. Checks should be payable to The Idaho Observer, PO Box 457, Spirit Lake, ID, 83869. For info call 208-255-2307.

WWW Washington Free Press