The U.S. Federal Drug Administration approved the use of aspartame, an artificial sweetener used as a sugar replacement in many mass produced foods and beverages, in 1974. Since its approval, aspartame's safety has come into question, and consumer groups and physicians implicated it in causing several disorders and diseases, including birth defects, brain cancer and diabetes. Aspartame is sold commercially under the name NutraSweet.
Birth Defects
Ingestion of aspartame during pregnancy concerns many doctors. The Holistic Healing Web Page reports three problematic ingredients in aspartame that may cause birth defects or neurological changes in a developing fetus and these include phenylalanine, methanol and aspartic acid.
Phenylalanine, an amino acid, may increase blood phenylalanine levels when ingested by a pregnant woman and in turn double the level of phenylalanine in the placenta. These levels would be neurotoxic in a fetus, with the potential to result in a ten-point drop in the I.Q. of that baby says Holistic Healing Web Page.
Methanol's components include formaldehyde and formic acid. Exposure to low levels of formaldehyde may cause chronic health problems in children.
Aspartic acid, an amino acid, may impact fetal brain development when ingested in large quantities by pregnant women.
Brain Cancer
There are several studies, including one published in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology in 1996, that indicate a link between aspartame use and brain cancer. The study, largely ancedotal, cites a 10 percent jump in brain cancer cases after FDA approval of the sugar substitute. Despite a study by the National Cancer Institute that cleared aspartame of causing brain cancer, consumer group suspicion persists.
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association maintains that aspartame use does not cause diabetes, however, complaints that aspartame can precipitate diabetes and aggravates diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy continue. Studies cited by World Natural Health Organization point to an increase in diabetes with the use of soft drinks and other beverages sweetened with aspartame.
References
- Mercola.com; Aspartame's Hidden Dangers
- Holistic Healing Web Page; Aspartame/Nutrasweet Dangers in Pregnancy
- CNN.com; Study suggests possible link between aspartame and brain cancer
- National Cancer Institute; Aspartame and Cancer
- American Diabetes Association; Diabetes Forecast; Size Up Your Sweetener
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