Aspartame By-products Can Produce Dangerous Side-Effects

The deleterious side effects of methanol include migraines, dizziness, vertigo, shooting numbness in the extremities, neuritis and vision problems. There may be temporary obscuration of vision, retinal damage or even permanent blindness. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause congenital anomalies in the fetus because of genetic defects.

A study carried out on rats has shown that chronic exposure to aspartame can produce oxidative stress in the brain resulting in brain damage. The stress can lead to glutathione deficiency in the brain which may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Moreover, even though aspartame with its almost zero calorie content appears a good choice for people on a diet, it can in fact stimulate appetite and increase carbohydrate cravings. Compared to glucose or water, aspartame also increases subjective hunger. This is because, when you have already consumed some glucose, the preload reduces the perceived sweetness of sucrose. However, this is not the case with aspartame. Therefore, you end up eating more. While both natural and artificial sweeteners stimulate the taste buds, the latter only activate the pleasure-related regions in the brain but do not satiate them. Therefore, in the long run, they are more likely to cause a gain in weight.

Phenylalanine and aspartic acid also stimulate the release of insulin and leptins. The latter, in turn, stimulate the body to store food. Phenylalanine is said to decrease the levels of serotonin and increase the food cravings. Both phenylalanine and methanol increase dopamine levels in the brain which gives you a high. Hence, one can conclude that aspartame is also addictive in nature.

Despite so many side effects, aspartame continues to enjoy a vital position in many food products. This is because the general public is wide aware of its zero-calorific value, but largely unaware of its harmful effects.

Aspartame is an important ingredient in the following products

1. Diet soda

It is believed that about 5,250 tons of aspartame is consumed in the U.S. every year, of which 86% is in the form of diet sodas. Limiting yourself to even one can a day is sufficient to produce harmful effects. Studies have shown that a single can of diet soda increases the link of leukemia by 42% in both men and women. It can increase the risk of multiple myeloma by as much as 102% in men whereas the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is up by 31% in men.

     2.  Yogurts

Yogurts were considered as a safe choice by most people keeping a watch on their calorie intake, but addition of aspartame does not leave it safe anymore.

     3.  Chewing gum

Aspartame has made its presence felt even in something as innocuous as chewing gums. So many kids chewing it are exposed to aspartame’s side effects, especially because the blood brain barrier in kids is poorly developed and by-products of aspartame metabolism can easily crossover into the brain.

    4.  Cereals

Nutritionists the world over suggest that your breakfast should comprise of cereals. But with the presence of aspartame in most of the cereals available in the market, it is time to do a rethink.

    5.  Sugar free products

Aspartame is present in almost all the products which are marketed with the disclaimer of being sugar free. So next time, when you feel happy that you only consume sugar free products, think again.

Other innocuous looking products that contain hidden aspartame include:

    6.  Crisps

    7.  Tabletop sweeteners

    8.  Flavored milk/water

    9.  Drink powders

    10.  Cooking sauces

Its time you look closely at all the side effects that aspartame ingestion can cause. You have been misled for a long time. Put your foot down now.