Here in the United States, many people expect food to taste sweet. When I was in acupuncture school, I remember one of my instructors telling me: "Learn to love the bitter taste. It's good for your heart."

Sure, food should taste good, but it's possible to get too much of a good thing. Each sweetner that you choose - natural or unnatural - could have ramifications on your overall health if used to excess.

So which sweetener is best? Here's a breakdown of sweeteners and their possible risk factors:

• Honey - My personal favorite, especially raw, unfiltered honey. In addition to the many claims of medicinal health benefits, honey is rich in chromium, an essential mineral necessary for regulating blood sugar.
  
• High Fructose Corn Syrup - Many alternative health care practitioners believe high levels of frustose in food and drinks are responsible for the obesity epidemic in this country. A recent study explains how high fructose corn syrup blocks an enzyme necessary for clearing fat from the liver.
  
• Organic Cane Juice - For those who haven't figured it out yet, this is liquid sugar.
  
• Sugar - Sugar, or sucrose, breaks down to 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. Used in moderation, it's not such a bad thing, especially if you are a health person who exercises regularly. And, if you're concerned about calories, one teaspoon is 16 calories. That's all.
  
• Aspartame - Too risky. Too much controversy. Especially considering that most people who drink diet soda drink a lot of diet soda, at least one per day. If you're going to take risks with your body, why not do something fun like parachuting or kayaking?
  
• Sucralose - Again, too risky. When you're reading reports of toxic overdose, doesn't it make you stop and think?
  
• Stevia - Sweeter than sugar, stevia is a plant-based low to no calories sweetner used by health advocates for years. For me, it's too sweet and a little challenging to use, but could be just the ticket for folks who can't give up the sweet taste.

Choose well, be well and have a wonderful day!