Many years ago I was living in Los Angeles working as a nanny and a production assistant. I needed a lot caffeine for both jobs. My drink of choice was diet soda. That soon changed after a visit to the doctor. She found a large round mass in my left breast. It was the size and texture of a hacky sack. She said, “Don’t worry.” Yeah right! I was 25 years old, planning my wedding and thinking about starting a family down the road. Don’t worry she says. She asked if I drank soda. I look at her kind of strange and said yes. She said, “STOP!” Well after a series of follow up visits over a 6 month period the mass was no longer residing in my breast. She explained to me (her belief, theory, medical opinion) that it was the synthetic (chemical) sugar in the soda that was the culprit. Needless to say 7 years later I still do not drink soda. The message my friends is learn what the ingredients are that you and your family are ingesting. Does it benefit you? I did however find a natural option, Stevia. It comes in packets so that you can carry them with you to the restaurants and use in your coffee or iced tea. For more information on artificial sugar substitutes go to www.citizens.org