Artificial sweeteners: all worked up over nothing? Part II

Aspartame, which is sold commercially as Equal and NutraSweet, consists of three components: aspartic acid, methanol and phenylalanine. These components break down into formaldehyde, formic acid and diketopiperazine, a chemical that can cause brain tumors. All of these substances are known to be toxic to humans.

A seven-year study in which rats were given the equivalent of four to five bottles a day for a human indicated that aspartame consumption correlates with high rates of leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers in rats. However, the carcinogenic effect of aspartame was found at levels as low as 20 milligrams a day for humans, which is far less than current daily limits in America at 50 milligrams and the UK at 40 milligrams.

References:

• New York Times, “The Lowdown on Sweet,” February 12, 2006

• Environmental Health Prospectives, “First Experimental Demonstration of the Multipotential Carcinogenic Effects of Aspartame Administered in the Feed to Sprague-Dawley Rats,” March 2006; 114(3): 379-385

• News Target, “The Link Between Aspartame and Brain Tumors: What the FDA Never Told You About Artificial Sweeteners,” September 22, 2005

Independent research finds problems with aspartame. An analysis of peer reviewed medical literature using MEDLINE and other databases was conducted by Ralph G. Walton, MD, Chairman, The Center for Behavioral Medicine, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.

Dr. Walton analyzed 164 studies that were felt to have relevance to human safety questions. Of the 90 non-industry-sponsored (independent) studies, 83 (92 percent) identified one or more problems with aspartame. Of the 74 aspartame industry-sponsored studies, all 74 (100 percent) claimed that no problems were found with aspartame.

There appears to be more controversy over the safety of aspartame than any other artificial sweetener. As of 1995 when the FDA was quoted as saying they stopped accepting adverse reaction reports on aspartame, over 75 percent of the adverse reactions reported to the FDA Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS) were due to aspartame. In addition, the FDA believes that only about one percent of adverse reactions (whether drug- or food-product-related) are actually reported.

Are there any artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes that are safe?

Substitute Stevia, an herbal leaf that tastes like an artificial sweetener. The crude Stevia leaves and herbal powder (green) are reported to be 10 to 15 times sweeter than table sugar. The refined extracts of Stevia, called steviosides, claim to be 200 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar.

Stevia does not affect glucose levels like sugar, nor does it have the side effects of artificial sweeteners, and it is safe for diabetics. As with any food, diabetics should always check their glucose when consuming a new food product. Some substances can cause a certain individual’s glucose to spike, whereas it may not affect others.

Stevia is virtually calorie-free and totally natural, and it can be found in most health stores.

Reference:

• San Francisco Independent Media Center, “Stevia: The Best and Safest Natural Sweetener,” November 4, 2002

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1. This article is for educational purposes only.

2. Your individual health status and any required healthcare treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified healthcare professional of your choice.