The 5 Most Dangerous Side Effects of Aspartame

1. Aspartame is a natural sweetener that is sold, among others, under the brand names Canderel and Equal. In addition, the sweetener is often used in all kinds of diet and sugar-free products.

2. Aspartame is a natural sweetener that is sold, among others, under the brand names Canderel and Equal. In addition, the sweetener is often used in a variety of diet and sugar-free products.

1. While the sweetener remains popular, it has also faced some controversy in recent years. Many opponents argue that aspartame is actually bad for your health. Although the US FDA has approved aspartame, a maximum intake of 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is recommended.

What is aspartame?

1. Aspartame is a popular sweetener that is often mixed with a filler because Aspartame itself is so sweet. The ingredients of aspartame are aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Both are naturally occurring amino acids. Aspartic acid is produced by your body and phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that you get from food.

2. Aspartame is a popular sweetener that is often mixed with a filler because Aspartame itself is so sweet. The ingredients of aspartame are aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Both are naturally occurring amino acids. Aspartic acid is produced by your body and phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that you get through food.

1. When your body processes aspartame, part of it is broken down into methanol. Although toxic in large amounts, small amounts of methanol are non-toxic. It is produced naturally in the body and is also found in fruits, juice, fermented drinks, and some vegetables. The amount of methanol due to the breakdown of aspartame is low. In fact, it is lower than the amount found in common foods.

1. However, that does not mean that you can take aspartame without any problems. We'll get to that in a minute.

2. However, that does not mean that you can take aspartame without any problems. We will come back to that in a moment.

1. A number of regulatory agencies and health related organizations have approved aspartame. These instances include:

2. A number of regulatory agencies and health-related organizations have approved aspartame. These instances include:

1. In 2013, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a meta-analysis of more than 6,000 studies on aspartame. Although this analysis showed that the sweetener is not harmful to health, doubts remain.

2. In 2013, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a meta-analysis of more than 6000 studies on aspartame. Although this analysis showed that the sweetener is not harmful to health, doubts remain.

1. Aspartame was first produced around the time the FDA began banning artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin. Studies at the time showed that high doses of these two sweeteners could cause cancer and other conditions. Although aspartame is approved by the FDA, there are several studies showing problems with the sweetener, including studies conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health.

1. The ban on saccharin has since been reversed. Cyclamate is now also being sold in most countries again and aspartame is freely available everywhere and can also be found in countless processed products.

Products with aspartame

1. When a product bears the label 'sugar free' this often means that an artificial sweetener was used instead of sugar. While not all sugar-free products contain aspartame, it is still one of the most popular sweeteners used in processed products.

2. When a product is labeled 'sugar free', this often means that an artificial sweetener was used instead of sugar. While not all sugar-free products contain aspartame, it is still one of the most popular sweeteners used in processed products.

1. Some examples of products containing aspartame are:

1. Â € “Diet soda

1. - Low-calorie fruit juice

1. Â € “Some brands of gum

2. - Some brands of chewing gum

1. Â € “Yogurt (often a combination of sweeteners is used here, depending on the brand)

1. Â € “Sugar free sweets and cakes

1. If you are already using aspartame, using other natural sweeteners can help you limit aspartame. It is even better to avoid aspartame entirely, of course, but then you will certainly have to watch out for packaged products. Aspartame is usually labeled 'contains phenylalanine'.

Aspartame side effects

1. Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. So only a very small amount is needed to impart a sweet taste to food or drinks. The recommendation for an acceptable daily consumption is 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. This recommendation comes from the US FDA. Others give a slightly lower recommendation of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

1. To give you an idea of ​​how much you are taking in: One can of diet soda contains about 185 milligrams of aspartame. Thus, a person weighing 68 kilograms would have to drink more than 18 cans of soda per day to exceed the recommended daily intake.

2. To give you an idea of ​​how much you are taking in: A can of diet soda contains about 185 milligrams of aspartame. Thus, a person weighing 68 kilograms would have to drink more than 18 cans of soda per day to exceed the daily recommended intake.

1. Before you think that aspartame is completely safe for you as long as you only consume small amounts of it, it is better to read on first. Even though the FDA has approved it, several studies have been conducted in recent years that seriously dispute its safety.

1. The components of aspartame can lead to a wide variety of conditions, according to these studies. Some of these problems come on gradually, while others cause immediate, acute side effects.

1. An important part of aspartame is phenylalanine. This substance has been processed synthetically and is responsible for the sweet taste of aspartame. However, the phenylalanine is easily broken down and can then form methanol. In fruits and vegetables, methanol is bound to a fiber called pectin, which removes the substance safely through the digestive tract. However, in aspartame, methanol is not bound to anything that can help eliminate it from your body.

1. Once in your body, the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzyme converts methanol into formaldehyde, which can damage your DNA and sensitive proteins. All animals except humans can convert methanol into formic acid.

1. I have listed the 5 most important conditions associated with aspartame for you here. But watch out; these are just a few of the many conditions reported to date.

1. Birth defects

1. A study funded by Monsanto to study possible birth defects caused by aspartame use was cut off after preliminary data showed harmful information about aspartame. Aspartame is also suspected of causing brain damage in susceptible individuals. A fetus may be at increased risk for these effects. Some researchers have suggested that high doses of aspartame can be associated with problems ranging from dizziness and subtle brain changes to retardation.

2. Brain tumors

1. In 1981, a statistician working for the FDA at the time stated that the data on aspartame related to brain tumors is so concerning that he cannot recommend an approval for the sweetener.

1. In a two-year study conducted by the manufacturer of aspartame, twelve of the 320 rats fed a normal diet with the addition of aspartame developed brain tumors, while none of the rats in the control group developed tumors, and five of the twelve rats with tumors developed them on a low dose of aspartame.

3. Diabetes

1. Although aspartame has been approved by various authorities for people with diabetes, the actual picture looks a bit less rosy. There are several studies that show that aspartame can be the cause of diabetes or pre-diabetes.

1. The following consequences of aspartame consumption were registered:

1. According to the researchers, many people during the study developed serious metabolic, neurological and other complications from the use of aspartame. This has been demonstrated by a decrease in diabetes control, the intensification of hypoglycaemia, the occurrence of the seizures ultimately attributable to aspartame, and the worsening of diabetic complications (especially visual impairment and neuropathy) during the use of products. with aspartame. Dramatic improvements in these functions only occurred after avoiding aspartame, and a rapid predictable recurrence of these problems when the patient started to consume the same products again, consciously or accidentally.

4. Emotional Disorders

1. In a double-blind study of the effects of aspartame in persons with mood disorders, the results showed a large increase in severe symptoms in persons taking aspartame. Because some of the symptoms were so severe, the study eventually had to be discontinued. Three of the participants believed they had been poisoned by aspartame.

1. The researchers concluded that individuals with mood disorders are particularly sensitive to this artificial sweetener and its use in this population should be discouraged.

1. In addition, there have been numerous reported cases of low serotonin levels, depression and other emotional disturbances associated with aspartame and often alleviated by stopping aspartame intake.]

5. Epileptic attacks

1. With the large and growing number of seizures caused by aspartame, it is sad to see that there are still agencies that promote or at least consider it safe to use aspartame. In a recent study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 80 people had had an epileptic seizure after using aspartame. The researchers concluded from the study that aspartame must be withdrawn from the market quickly, which never happened.

1. Several airline magazines have published articles warning of the many dangers of aspartame as well as the delirious effects of methanol and the increased risk of birth defects. The articles point out that aspartame consumption makes pilots more prone to seizures and dizziness.

1. A telephone number has even been set up for pilots suffering from acute reactions to aspartame. More than 600 pilots have reported symptoms, including some who have reported having seizures in the cockpit.

Natural alternatives to aspartame

1. Although many studies are swept under the rug, people are becoming increasingly aware of the risks of artificial sweeteners. While aspartame has received the most reports for health concerns, the fact is that other artificial sweeteners are also problematic. Moreover, it is often the case that we simply do not have enough data in the long run to really guarantee security. Nevertheless, these substances are often available on the market and used in various products.

1. So it is up to each of us to make a conscious choice to avoid artificial sweeteners. You do this of course by choosing natural products as much as possible and bypassing processed foods. Ultimately, you will get many more health benefits from this. But what if you can't use sugar AND sweetener?

1. There are numerous natural sweeteners available that are not harmful to your health as long as you consume them in moderation. The following options are a good choice:

1. Keep in mind that - apart from stevia - natural sweeteners also contain (natural) sugar and can therefore cause your blood sugar level to rise considerably. So use them sparingly. Stevia is the best option for diabetics because it has no effect on blood sugar and contains no calories.

Finally ...

1. Although many authorities say something else, it is clear after numerous studies that aspartame and other artificial sweeteners should be avoided as much as possible. Mother nature still knows better.

1. So use as many natural, full-bodied products as possible and avoid anything factory-made. Sweeteners and other unwanted artificial additives don't creep into your diet either.

1. And by eating less sweet, you will also discover that in the long run you have much less appetite for something sweet and fruit is incredibly sweet. Sugar and sweeteners will not even taste good anymore.