by Connie Sue

Created on: March 29, 2010

There are several sugar substitutes on the market today, some artificial and others natural. The ones that seem to stir the greatest controversy are the synthetic sugar substitutes. Synthetic is not a natural substitute, but a chemical imitation of a natural substance. It is your responsibility to become informed and research for yourself the pros and cons of any sugar substitute or food additive.

The FDA refused to approve aspartame for 16 to 20 years because of its known toxicity and contribution to brain tumors. (See the first resource) The reasoning behind not approving aspartame pertains to some of the side effects, high cholesterol levels, fluid loss, and flawed data. The reports touting the benefits of aspartame were created by the manufacturers of NutraSweet and Equal.

You will find aspartame in yogurt, diet soft drinks, diet juices, most sugar free jams, jellies, and juices, sugar free chewing gum. Several powdered diet drinks are made of aspartame. Because the FDA approved aspartame it will be found in nearly every diet program and product on the market today.

Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener created by binding two known amino acids with methanol. When released in the body or heated at 86 degrees Fahrenheit aspartame converts into toxic chemicals, formaldehyde and formic acid, embalming fluid. One of the amino acids in aspartame is aspartic acid, 40% of the chemical formula. The second amino acid is phenylalanine, related to seizures and comprises 50% of aspartame's structure. Excess use of any one of these ingredients is dangerous causing a long list of issues in the human body. The FDA has published warnings about each ingredient in aspartame, yet there are no warnings about aspartame.

Known Side Effects:

Eye problems include:

Blindness in one or both eyes

Decrease in vision, both night and daylight

Decrease in tears

Pain in both or one eye

Ear problems include:

Tinnitus

Intolerance for loud noises

Neurology

Seizures

Headaches, migraines

Feeling dizzy or unsteady on your feet

Numbness of the limbs

Sever Tremors

Recent high blood pressure

Shortness of breath, sudden

Other side affects include issues with menstruation, diabetes that is out of control, and may trigger such disorders as Epstein Barr syndrome. (To read the entire listing see Aspartame Side Effects).

On the flip side of the reports touting the great dangers of using aspartame there are those who tout its many benefits.The claims state the benefits of aspartame outweigh the ill effects and the side effects are false, the report is included in the resources, “The Other Story.”

The choice is yours. Consider one other side effect, there is a claim that it is not beneficial to weight loss.The report that states it will actually reduce your serotonin levels and block the messages to lose fat. Yet diet products contain the chemical aspartame. (See the first resource listed.)

A side note about formaldehyde and formic acid, it is used as embalming fluid because it does not metabolize. It will continue to remain in your tissue, so each new dose of aspartame continues the build up of formaldehyde and formic acid in your body. The FDA has a severe warning about the problems with formaldehyde and has banned its use in household products. (Scorecard: Formaldehyde)

References

Aspartame failed the approval of the FDA

Aspartame Ingredients

Aspartame Side Effects

Aspartame Info Center

Research News about Aspartame

The Other Story about Aspartame

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