Aspartame is the technical name for artificial sweeteners such as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal Measure. Is it comforting to know that aspartame was discovered by accident? Some genius, James Schlatter, was running a test for an anti-ulcer drug (ironic) when ta-dah, aspartame made its debut- a discovery that set this decades long catastrophe in motion. In my research I found that aspartame is responsible for over 75% of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. The most serious reactions are seizures and even death.
Please note that aspartame is NOT just found in sodas. It can also be found in yogurt, sugar-free everything, chips, chewing gum, cereals, flavored waters, cough drops, kids' vitamins, Jello, cooking sauces, a lot of diet foods (including Weight Watchers brand)....the list goes on.
Some of the documented symptoms caused by aspartame include:
* headaches/migraines
* muscle spasms
* irritability
* heart palpitations
* Tinnitus
* dizziness
* weight gain
* Tachycardia
* breathing difficulties
* Vertigo
* rashes
* insomnia
* depression
* anxiety attacks
* memory loss
* vision problems
* slurred speech
* joint pain
* fatigue
* hearing loss
* loss of taste
....just a small list. Other research has shown that certain chronic illnesses can be brought on or made worse by consuming aspartame: brain tumors, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Multiple sclerosis, Epilepsy, Lymphoma, Chronic fatigue syndrome, birth defects, Parkinson's disease, and Fibromyalgia.
What you need to know about aspartic acid: It's 40% of aspartame. Too much aspartate can kill certain neurons in the brain, which allows an influx of too much calcium into the cells. This causes an excessive amount of free radicals in the brain, which kill cells. When this type of damage caused by excessive aspartate (and/or glutamate as well), they are referred to as "excitotoxins." Long-term exposure to this excitatory amino acid can contribute to chronic illnesses such as MS, ALS, memory loss, hormonal problems, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, hypoglycemia, dementia, brain lesions, and neuroendocrine disorders.
What you need to know about phenylalanine: It's difficult to pronounce. It's 50% of aspartame. Also, it's an amino acid found in the brain. High levels of phenylalanine in the brain can be lethal to some. Specifically, people with the genetic disorder, phenylketonuria (PKU), are at exceptionally high risk as they cannot metabolize phenylalanine. Even those without PKU can have dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in their brains, especially if aspartame is consumed along with carbohydrates. High levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause serotonin levels to drop, thus causing emotional disorders such as depression.
What you need to know about methanol (a.k.a wood alcohol): 10 % of aspartame, it's a deadly poison- joy! Who wouldn't want this in their refreshing beverage after a long day of yard work? Methanol absorption is sped up when free methanol is consumed. Free methanol is created when aspartame is at a temperature above 86 Fahrenheit. This would happen if a product containing aspartame was improperly stored somewhere or left in the sun- you know, on those beautiful, hot, summer days at family cookouts. Methanol is broken down into formic acid and formaldehyde (a carcinogen) in the body. Methanol is a cumulative poison, as there is a low rate of excretion once it is absorbed (Mercola, Mercola.com).
PS quote in the picture above was a statement made by a Monsanto spokesperson. Impressive. Next question- aaaand how do you sleep at night? :]
The recommended limit of methanol consumption is 7.8 mg/day. 1 liter of an aspartame-sweetened beverage contains an astounding 56 mg of methanol. Think of this next time those stupid dancing polar bears taunt you into reaching for a Coke.
Possible side effects of NutraSweet
List of products containing aspartame
Top 10 worst sources of aspartame
List of products containing aspartame
911 Body Rescue
Work Cited
Mercola, Joseph. "Aspartame: By Far the Most Dangerous Substance Added to Most Foods Today." Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2013. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx>.