Aspartame, also known as Equal or NutraSweet, is an artificial sweetener commonly used in foods. Many diet sodas and sugar-free products contain aspartame, making it possible for diabetics and other people who want to limit their sugar intake or their caloric intake to still consume some sweet treats. However, an Internet hoax has linked aspartame to multiple sclerosis.
The Basics
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. If you suffer from this condition, your immune system destroys the protective coating, called myelin, surrounding your nerves, causing a number of debilitating symptoms, including vision problems, tingling or numbness in your limbs, dizziness and fatigue. Doctors do not know the cause of multiple sclerosis, but it might be due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
Aspartame and Multiple Sclerosis
Aspartame is not a potential cause of multiple sclerosis, according to the American Council on Science and Health. The hoax claims multiple sclerosis is caused by methanol toxicity due to aspartame consumption. However, the amount of methanol contained in a soda sweetened with aspartame is less than that found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. These small amounts can be easily dealt with by your body and do not cause toxicity symptoms.
Aspartame Safety
Aspartame has been extensively studied for safety concerns. An April 2002 article published in "Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology" finds that aspartame is clearly safe after taking into consideration all of the research conducted on the safety of aspartame over the previous 20 years. The only safety issue is for people who suffer from PKU because aspartame does contain the amino acid phenylalanine, which isn't safe for people with this condition.
Considerations
Although aspartame doesn't cause multiple sclerosis, it is often used in many foods that aren't particularly healthy, including sodas and sweets. When following a healthy diet, you should only consume these foods occasionally, relying on fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, low-fat dairy and whole grains for most of your calories.
References
- MayoClinic.com; "Multiple Sclerosis"; December 2010
- American Council on Science and Health; "ACSH Debunks Internet Health Hoax"; Alicia Lukachko; January 1999
- "Time"; "A Web of Deceit"; Christine Gorman; February 1999
- "Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology"; "Aspartame: Review of Safety"; H.H. Butchko et al; April 2002
