Toxin Alert: The Dangers of Aspartame

When choosing between 150 calories and 0 calories, for many the choice is apparent.  Zero calories sounds a whole lot better - right?  Yet that 0-calorie item may be causing more harm than good.  Aspartame, also known as Equal and NutraSweet, is a toxic food additive with a long and questionable history.  Here are just a few of the dangers of Aspartame.

Birth Defects

aspartame; Asp-Phe methyl ester (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aspartame is suspected of causing brain damage in sensitive individuals and unborn children may be especially at risk for these effects. Some researchers have suggested that high doses of aspartame may be associated with problems ranging from dizziness and subtle brain changes to mental retardation.

Cancer

Numerous studies on rats have shown a strong link between brain cancer and aspartame.  And while the FDA has approved aspartame for human use, the data is too suspicious.  In fact, in 1981, an FDA statistician commented that the brain tumor/aspartame data was too "worrisome" to recommend approval of NutraSweet. (Nonetheless, it was approved following intense pressure from the food industry - see the documentary "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" for more info on the story of how the approval was pushed through despite many warnings and adverse results in numerous studies.)

Diabetes

Research has shown aspartame to be a leading agent in developing clinical diabetes (which is especially disturbing since many diabetics and pre-diabetics choose this sweetener over sugar, thinking it's healthier for them).  It has also shown that aspartame causes diabetics to have less control over their condition when they’re on insulin or oral drugs.  It’s been linked to diabetic complications and has been shown to cause diabetic convulsions. 

Emotional Disorders

According to a double blind study of the effects of aspartame on people suffering from mood disorders, aspartame caused a dramatic increase in symptoms.   Additionally, there are numerous reported cases of low brain serotonin levels, depression and other emotional disorders which all link the cause to aspartame. 
In addition to the above listed conditions caused by or worsened by aspartame, the dangers of aspartame reach far and wide. 

Here’s just a few of the many symptoms proven or suspected to be caused by aspartame:
* Seizures
* Dizziness
* Tremors
* Migraines and severe headaches
* Memory loss
* Slurring of speech
* Confusion
* Numbness or tingling of extremities
* Chronic fatigue
* Depression
* Insomnia
* Irritability
* Panic attacks
* Rapid heart beat
* Asthma
* Chest pains
* High blood pressure
* Diarrhea
* Abdominal pain
* Menstrual problems
* Impotency
* Food cravings
* Weight gain
* Hair loss
* Urination problems
* Bloating
* Joint pain

Where is Aspartame Found?

Diet Coke Products (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to the Aspartame Information Society, aspartame is consumed by over 200 million people around the world and is found in more than 6,000 products. Aspartame is commonly found in most diet drinks from soda to lemonade and bottled teas.  It’s also found in many food products including yogurt, cereal, ice cream, jams and jellies, maple syrup, pudding and many low sugar candy, gum and mints. Be sure to read the label if you’re trying to avoid the dangers of aspartame.

Simply put, Aspartame, Equal and NutraSweet are toxins.  Your body cannot process them effectively.  This inability to process them causes your body to try to compensate for their presence.  There’s only so much a body can take before it gives out.  When that happens, symptoms appear.  They may begin as whispers like fatigue, headaches and bloating, however as more aspartame is ingested, the symptoms worsen.  The effects, as studies have shown, can be deadly.

For more information on aspartame and related artificial sweeteners, you may want to check out the following resources: