Artificial sweeteners in general are something to look at very carefully, but of all of them, Aspartame is the absolute worst! It is found in almost all diet sodas and zero calorie drinks like Crystal Light. It’s also known as Equal, found at your tables in your restaurants. In the 1980s, it was touted as the “healthier” replacement for the banned artificial sweetener, cyclamate.
You’ve probably heard about some side-effects, headaches and migraines, but did you know ALL of the dangers? I surely didn’t!
1. Eye Problems. Aspartame is made up of phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. The methanol is claimed to be potentially toxic to your retina and optic nerve, causing several forms of eye issues. It can cause dry eye, eye pain, and blurred vision as well.
2. Diabetes. Some studies suggest that aspartame might decrease insulin sensitivity. A study done by the American Diabetes Association raises concerns that diabetics who eat meals with aspartame before exercise may see a drop in glucose levels.
3. Enhances Mood Disorders. Studies have shown that aspartame has adverse side effects on people who suffer from depression. It can enhance mood disorders. One notable study was even stopped prematurely because the effects were so severe. If you suffer from, or have a history of depression, your doctor should be aware of your diet, including any diet foods that contain aspartame.
4. Inflammation and Joint Pain. There have been several reports of joint pain and inflammation after consuming aspartame. It’s believed that many people are allergic to it—your body tries to protect itself from the chemical compounds found in the sweetener, resulting in an allergic reaction. Your soft tissues can become inflamed, causing pain and discomfort.
5. Hearing Problems. Several scientific studies, including studies by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), report that aspartame negatively impacts vestibular and cochlear functioning, which can begin with tinnitus (or a chronic ringing in the ears) and gradually develop into high frequency hearing loss.
6. Controversial Cancer Studies. Non-government funded studies show the link between aspartame and more specifically, to brain tumors. Even though two studies published by a group of Italian researchers (and cited by the American Cancer Association) link high levels of aspartame consumption to a heightened risk of certain blood-related cancers (i.e., lymphomas and leukemias) in rats, the FDA states that important data is lacking.
Is it really worth the risk?
