Is Aspartame as Bad as Sugar or Worse?

People who count the calories they consume turn to diet sodas. After all, sugar is the only thing that makes colas bad for your health, right? Not so.

Diet colas contain Aspartame, which is a much-debated ingredient in diet food and beverages. They are commonly known as Equal, Nutrasweet, Spoonful, Sweet and Equal-Measure.

Aspartame has been linked to Migraines, weight gain, nausea, vision problems, dizziness, muscle spasms, fatigue, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, vertigo, heart palpitations, vertigo, and memory loss among others.

And those who already have illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, mental retardation, brain tumors, birth defects, lymphoma, fibromyalgia, and diabetes are said to feel their condition worsen when consuming these products.

However, the FDA has defended aspartame saying there is no clear and concrete evidence pointing to aspartame as the reason for causing the health problems mentioned. They further indicated that aspartame is “one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives the agency has ever approved”. They believe that the negative claims are nothing more than a highly publicized smear campaign. They assert that the smear campaign was only initiated by one person who spread the word through mass email.

What can we substitute for aspartame? These are the names that usually come up when you’re searching for aspartame or sugar substitutes:

• Xylitol – Unlike artificial aspartame, xylitol is a natural sweetener from fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. It is safe especially for diabetics because it has a low glycemic index and has lower calories than sugar.
• Stevia – an herb from South America; claims to have no carbohydrates, no glycemic index, and no calories
• Saccharin – a synthetic compound that’s sweeter than sugar but has no calories
• Sucralose – an artificial sweetener made from sugar but has no calories

While medical experts generally agree that aspartame is not a confirmed health hazard, the ongoing discussion and personal testimonies suggest caution. I’ve chosen to avoid products containing aspartame after learning about its potential risks. There may be no definitive evidence of harm, but by opting out, I feel I’m reducing my exposure to potential risks. It’s also reassuring to know that my health insurance plan covers regular check-ups, allowing me to stay informed about what’s best for my health. How about you? Do you feel more comfortable using aspartame or sticking to sugared products?