Health Care

By Sandra Kim Leong

There are several health dangers of aspartame. Yet, many people are unaware of them. The diet industry prefers to keep this a secret as keeping products containing aspartame on the shelves ensure their profits. Many conventional doctors and medical practitioners also deny the ill effects about aspartame.

Some people are lucky to have an immediate reaction to the products containing the chemical. Their immediate reactions can range from having a bad migraine, to feeling faint, nervousness and stomach cramps. With reactions that are instant, it is easy to recognize that aspartame should best be eliminated from their diet. Most of us are not lucky enough to have these reactions but there are many dangers of aspartame that you should be aware of.

The most common symptom associated with aspartame poisoning is headache. Many people say that they experience problems with vision, including blurred vision, blindness, and other eye problems. There have been cited reports of emotional and mental health issues as well. Some people reported memory loss, depression, mood issues, vertigo, and anxiety. Nausea and other stomach disorders are prevalent in aspartame poisoning. Other severe physical symptoms are also associated with aspartame poisoning. These include muscle cramping and joint pain, loss of energy, and heart attack-like symptoms.

What is ironical is that recent studies have shown that aspartame may increase the risk of obesity. Researchers have found that sweet tastes trigger body chemistry that causes cells to store carbohydrates and fats. You then begin to crave for more food. Hence, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners stimulate the urge to eat, thereby countering the very reason a person generally consumes an artificial sweetener. Some studies even indicate that those who consume diet soda are more likely to gain weight than people who avoid them.

It is easy to substitute aspartame containing products with healthier ones. Healthier consumables are also no less delicious. For instance, a tall glass of iced green tea can be just as refreshing as diet soda. Consuming refined flour cookies with an artificial sweetener may disappear into your tummy very quickly but can still leave you unsatisfied. Compare this to eating a thick, chewy oatmeal cookie made with dried fruits and nuts which will keep you full.

If you have been a consumer of aspartame, then it is time to reverse some of your old thinking. The dangers of aspartame should not be ignored and the habit of consuming products with aspartame should be stopped. Obesity is at alarming levels, with both children and adults alike. Eating products containing aspartame can contribute to weight problems. It is also shocking to note that the incidence of type two diabetes in young people is growing at a rapid rate.

While there may be an official stance that aspartame does not pose any dangers to your body, you should take charge of your own health. After all, if there are healthier alternatives to artificial sweeteners around, why take aspartame?