What you need to know about aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener 200 times sweeter than sucrose, and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages. It is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/ phenylalanine dipeptide with the trade names, NutraSweet, Equal, and Canderel. Aspartame was first made in 1965 and approved for use in food products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981.
Aspartame is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners available on the market. In fact, chances are good that you or someone you know has consumed an aspartame-containing diet soda within the past 24 hours. In 2010, one-fifth of all Americans drank a diet soda on any given day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source.
Aspartame Addiction
Though aspartame is frequently used in weight-control efforts, there is evidence that it and other sugar substitutes can actually be addictive, increase body weight and lead to more intense food cravings.
The American Psychological Association defines addiction as a condition where a person must have a drug to avoid symptoms of withdrawal, either physical or psychological. In one analysis, H.J. Roberts, M.D., found 33 of 540 study participants to suffer from withdrawal symptoms upon ceasing consumption of aspartame. These 33 patients were consuming massive amounts of aspartame—up to 12 cans of soda or 20 packets of sweetener a day. Their symptoms included irritability, tension, nausea, tremors, sweating and extreme cravings during the withdrawal stages.
A paper published in the journal Neuroscience suggests this aspartame addiction is possible because artificial sweeteners like aspartame do not affect the reward pathways of the brain in the way sugar does. We have an inherent craving for sweetness, the research says, that simply isn’t satisfied with aspartame. This fuels further cravings and “food seeking behavior,” which in turn can lead to weight gain. Also, because it is many times sweeter than sugar, aspartame essentially trains our brain to prefer sweeter foods.
Aspartame is one of the most controversial sweeteners in the world. It has been claimed to have a link with a multitude of ailments, including:
cancer
seizures
headaches
depression
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
dizziness
weight gain
birth defects
lupus
Alzheimer’s disease
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Bottom line: Even though food safety authorities and other mainstream sources consider aspartame to be safe, until high-quality studies by independent scientists will be conducted, it is best to stay away from aspartame.
Products with aspartame
Some examples of aspartame-containing products include:
diet soda
sugar-free ice cream
reduced-calorie fruit juice
gum
yogurt
sugarless candy
Using other sweeteners can help you limit your aspartame intake. However, if you want to avoid aspartame altogether, you’ll also need to make sure to look out for it in packaged goods. Aspartame is most often labeled as containing phenylalanine.
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