Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used all over the world in "diet" beverages, chewing gums, gelatin desserts, yogurts, pharmaceuticals, over the counter medications, and more. It is used to replace the sweetness of sugar and is considered "diet" because it contains no calories. Aspartame is a chemical that contains aspartic acid, methanol, and phenylalanine, which have been linked to many adverse health conditions. Aspartame is the common denominator for more than 92 different adverse health symptoms, according to Dr. Janet Hull on her website. Reading product labels can help consumers make smarter choices for their health.
Cancer
Aspartame has been linked to cancer in some case studies. In initial studies done with rats, 12 out of 320 rats developed malignant brain tumors after ingesting aspartame in an FDA trial, according to an article on medicinenet.com. Aspartame breaks down into methanol, amino acids and other chemicals. When methanol is absorbed by the body it converts to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can damage the immune system, the nervous system and can cause genetic damage in the long-term from low, consistent ingestion. Any change in the genetic structure could lead to cancer. The level of formaldehyde exposure is 61.3 mg for every liter of aspartame ingested. There are other studies showing no correlation between aspartame and cancer. Every consumer must do their own research, and make an educated decision regarding aspartame and its consumption.
Neurological Effects
Aspartame consumption has been linked to numerous mental and neurological issues in those suffering with aspartame side effects and/or poisoning. Aspartame has been shown to cause anxiety, depression, dizziness, slurred speech, irritability, insomnia, vertigo, seizures and convulsions. Articles have been written for Air Force magazine, Flying Safety, Navy's Magazine and others, stating that the ingestion of aspartame could make pilots more susceptible to dizziness, seizures and vertigo while flying. More research is currently being conducted in Greece regarding aspartame and its link to neurological disorders.
Weight Gain
When aspartame is ingested it travels through the intestines to the liver. The processes the liver goes through to break down aspartame requires excessive energy from the liver, which means there is less energy left in the liver's cells for fat burning and metabolism. This repeated process could result in fat storing and/or "fatty liver". Any time the liver is overburdened, the tendency to gain weight increases.
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