Aspartame – Yay or Nay?

Aspartame, also known as Tropicana Slim, Equal, NutraSweet and Canderel, is a sugar substitute that has received many opposing reviews. Here is some of the information on it for you to make your own decision.

Aspartame is made from two amino acids and methanol (or wood alcohol). Too much methanol (approximately 8 grams) is poisonous and can lead to brain damage, blindness and even death. Furthermore, methanol converts to formaldehyde at 86°F, our bodies being plenty warm to make the conversion. After that it changes to formic acid, the poison found in fire ant stings, which can cause metabolic problems.

There are around 6,000 food and beverage products on the market that contain Aspartame. Some of these include: diet and regular sodas, mints, cereals, sugar-free and regular gum, cocoa mixes, frozen and gelatin desserts, juices, laxatives, chewable vitamin supplements, pharmaceutical drugs, shake mixes, tabletop sweeteners, teas, coffees, wine coolers and yogurt.

Aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a negligible caloric value due to the small amount needed to produce a sweet taste. The sweetness, however, is not the same as that of sugar, having a slower onset and lasting longer. Aspartame has become a widely used sugar substitute for people with diabetes. Diabetics, however,  are healthier avoiding sweets altogether.

While Aspartame itself does not cause tooth decay, the acid in soda does and although it’s cheaper than sugar, Diet Coke is the same price as the original! Aspartame also causes a craving and is, thus, addictive causing you to consuming more.

Some of the physical and mental effects associated with Aspartame consumption are:
Eye problems including decreased vision, blurring, bright flashes, tunnel vision, protruding, bleeding, pain in one of both eyes, decreased tears, blindness in one or both eyes
Ear problems including ringing or buzzing, intolerance to noise, hearing impairment
Headaches, dizziness, unsteadiness
Confusion, memory loss
Severe drowsiness, insomnia
Severe slurring of speech
Severe hyperactivity, restless legs
Tingling or numbness of the limbs, severe joint pains
Convulsions, epileptic attacks, myoclonic jerks including hiccups, tremors
Severe depression, irritability, anxiety, severe aggravation of phobias
Heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, aggravation of respiratory allergies
High blood pressure, aggravated hypoglycemia
Nausea, diarrhoea, bloody stool, abdominal pain
Pain on swallowing, severe lip and mouth reactions, excessive thirst, facial pain
Severe itching without rash, hives
Aggravation of diabetic complications
Severe reduction or cessation of periods
Weight gain, marked weight loss, bloating
Thinning or loss of hair
Frequency of voiding, burning upon urination
Increased susceptibility to infection

Doctors suggest that Aspartame may be responsible for cases of:
Brain tumors
Multiple sclerosis
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s
Mental retardation
Lymphoma
Birth defects
Fibromyalgia
Diabetes
Arthritis
Reduced fertility in men

If you need a sugar substitute, try Stevia, honey or agave nectar and save yourself the trouble that comes from Aspartame!