Aspartame (the full name is aspartylphenylalanine) is a
synthetic sweeter that is marketed as a low calorie product and is often used
ostensibly in conjunction with diabetes management and weight loss. The
controversial sugar substitute is sold as NutriSweet, Equal and Aminosweet and
is an ingredient in thousands of food and beverage products worldwide.
Aspartame contains only 4 calories per gram and is 180 to
200 times sweeter than sucrose (common table sugar). The artificial sweetener
is highly touted by big food as ‘safe for human consumption’ and is commonly
found in foods and drinks like diet sodas, chewing gum, sugar-free ice cream,
reduced-calorie fruit juice (like Tropicana), yogurt, and sugarless candy.
When the body breaks down aspartame it creates wood alcohol
and formaldehyde, which are not exactly substances that the body finds
beneficial. Wood alcohol can cause vision damage and blindness while
formaldehyde (used in embalming fluid) makes the body more prone to infection
and can cause pneumonia.
It is well established that Aspartame gained approval by the
FDA through fraudulent documentation, bribery and corruption. Weirdly, Donald
Rumsfeld – yes the Secretary of Defense from the George W. Bush Administration
– was President and CEO of the Monsanto-owned pharmaceutical company G.D.
Searle & Co. which owned the rights to NutraSweet at the time it was
finally approved by the FDA. After much controversy Mr. Rumsfeld played a key
role in making the approval happen.
All of this of course begs the question, if Aspartame is so
safe then why all the fraud and shady politics? The answer will be clear – it
is not safe.
Aspartame is poison.
Few substances have been studied as extensively as has
Aspartame. Many of those studies were sponsored by food industry insiders who
stand to gain from the continued use and sale of their coveted artificial
sweetener. Guess what these kinds of studies always find?
On the other hand, one survey revealed that 92 percent of studies conducted by non-industry
sponsors reported one or more health problems associated with Aspartame.
Among the myriad of health problems linked to Aspartame are
various cancers (brain, breast, leukemia, lymphoma, peripheral nerve), loss of
cognition and neurological function, memory loss, brain lesions, brain tumors,
headaches, migraines, mental disorders, depression, seizures, vision loss, mild
rashes, fatigue and kidney function decline.
Aspartame is addictive, as most poisons are, and sudden
cessation can lead to withdrawal symptoms like irritability, fatigue, flu-like
symptoms, headache, brain fog / decreased concentration, anxiety and
depression.
Ironically, studies show that aspartame can increase
appetite / calorie consumption by up to 30 percent. Many believe that this is
because it tricks your brain into thinking it is getting a sugar fix, only to
leave the body unsatisfied (as NutirSweet is devoid of any actual nutrients).
Austin Broer of Health Masters explains,
“When ‘regular’ sugar is eaten, dopamine is released in the
brain and blood sugar levels rise, causing a secondary stimulation to produce
dopamine. When eating artificial sweeteners, dopamine produces the initial
sensation of pleasure, but the second effect doesn’t occur because sugar-free
sweeteners have no impact on blood sugar levels. As a result, the body sends
signals requesting more food to compensate.”
It seems like a contradiction but the consumption of
aspartame can in this way actually lead to weight gain.
Top 10 Foods That Are High in Aspartame
Here are ten examples of foods and drinks that may contain relatively high levels of aspartame:
1. Diet Soda: Many diet soda brands use aspartame as a sweetener.
2. Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing gums labeled as "sugar-free" often contain aspartame.
3. Flavored Yogurt: Some flavored yogurts marketed as low-calorie or sugar-free may contain aspartame.
4. Sugar-Free Jell-O: Certain varieties of sugar-free gelatin desserts contain aspartame.
5. Sugar-Free Pudding: Similar to sugar-free Jell-O, sugar-free pudding mixes may include aspartame.
6. Low-Calorie Fruit Drinks: Some fruit drinks marketed as low-calorie or sugar-free may contain aspartame as a sweetener.
7. Sugar-Free Ice Cream: Certain brands of sugar-free ice cream may use aspartame as a sweetener.
8. Sugar-Free Syrups: Certain sugar-free syrups used for flavoring beverages or desserts may contain aspartame.
9. Sugar-Free Baked Goods: Some sugar-free baked goods, such as cookies or cakes, may use aspartame as a sugar substitute.
10. Low-Calorie Instant Oatmeal: Certain varieties of low-calorie or sugar-free instant oatmeal packets may contain aspartame.
Remember to read food labels carefully and consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian if you have specific concerns about aspartame or artificial sweeteners.