Watch out if you are using a sugar substitute! Chances are that it may contain Aspartame, an artificial sweetener that is used worldwide by diabetics as well as by weight watchers. It is a no-caloric sweetener and is 200 times as sweet as sugar. Aspartame is a technical name for the brand names, Equal, Nutrasweet and Spoonful. Believe it or not, aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance that is added to foods. It accounts for over 75 per cent of adverse reaction to food additives as per the US Food and Drug Administration.
The documented symptoms caused by aspartame include: headache/migraines, nausea, dizziness, muscle spasms, numbness, weight gain, depression, rashes, fatigue, irritability, vision problems, hearing problems, heart palpitations, breathing problems, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, memory loss and joint pains.
Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. The three chemicals individually contribute in making aspartame a chemical poison.
Aspartic acid
Aspartic acid is an amino acid. It basically has a neurological effect, that is it affects the brain. Intake of aspartic acid raises the concentration of neurotransmitters aspartate and glutamate. An excess of aspartate and glutamate results in killing of brain cells. A large number of cells are killed before any clinical symptoms appear. The symptoms include headaches, nausea, and abdominal pains, sleep problems, vision problems and asthmatic attacks.
Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in the brain. Ingesting aspartame leads to high levels of phenylalanine in the brain. The excess of this amino acid leads to emotional disorders such as depression.
Methanol
Methanol is a deadly poison. In the normal process methanol is gradually absorbed at a slow pace but when free methanol is ingested the absorption process is speeded up. Methanol poisoning results in gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, chills, blurring of vision and blindness.
What is Aspartame found in?
Instant breakfasts, breath mints, sugar free chewing gums, coffee beverages, frozen desserts, juice beverages, soft drinks, tea beverages, instant tea and coffee and all low calorie foods. Though aspartame results in the above-mentioned symptoms, its effects are still being investigated. In fact, it is still widely used. Aspartame can be used in small quantities. However, using it to make low calorie dishes or as a substitute for sugar should be strictly avoided.
There is an enormous population of people suffering from symptoms contributed by aspartame, without being aware of it. Often you attribute things other than aspartame for these symptoms. You tend to forget that you have been stuffing your system with this sweetener that is slowly but steadily poisoning you. Hopefully, this article would have increased your awareness level, since aspartame-linked diseases are not reported on the front page like an airplane crash.
No comments:
Post a Comment