THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF FDA-APPROVED ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER ASPARTAME
Aspartame is considered the world's most used artificial sweetener and it was approved by the FDA in 1981. It is an ingredient made in a lab from a “genetically engineered” (GE), aka GMO, bacteria. A quick Google search will tell you the "benefits" of aspartame: it is only four calories per gram and 200 times sweeter than sugar.
However, if you dig a little deeper, you will find studies show aspartame is a multi-potential carcinogen when consumed daily at levels lower than the maximum recommended by the FDA. (1, 5) Studies also show prenatal exposure to aspartame increases cancer risk in offspring. (1)
Behavior and cognitive problems related to aspartame consumption include learning disabilities, headaches, seizures, migraines, irritability, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. (6, 7) It is widely known that aspartame metabolizes into methanol in the body and chronic methanol exposure is linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms. (9)
Excessive weight gain, increased appetite, and obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease are also linked to aspartame consumption. (2, 10) This is concerning since aspartame is often used in "sugar-free", "low-sugar", and "diet" products that target individuals wanting to lose weight and improve their long term health.
In 1974, the drug manufacturer that invented aspartame, G.D. Searle, applied for FDA approval by submitting research confirming the artificial sweetener's safety. Both FDA scientists and independent scientists have expressed concerns that the submission did not scientifically prove with reasonable certainty the safety of aspartame. (4, 5)
In 1985, G.D. Searle Co. was purchased by the highly controversial biotechnology corporation Monsanto Company for ~$2.7B (equal to ~$7.8B in 2022). Monsanto’s intent was to increase the demand of the pharmaceutical drugs they were developing in its laboratories by penetrating the food industry. (8) In 2020, Monsanto Company was purchased by Bayer AG, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
The aspartame rabbit hole is deep and multi-faceted! As always, I encourage you not to take my word for it and do your own research. Questions I encourage you to consider: Why would a pharmaceutical company want to get involved with the food industry? How would an increased consumption of aspartame benefit a pharmaceutical company in the long run? Why is the FDA continuing to allow toxic chemicals in consumable goods?
The Next Step: If you have already decided to avoid this toxic artificial sweetener, the next step is to learn the various names aspartame is hidden under on your consumable product labels. Since aspartame is a man-made ingredient, product developers are legally allowed to list it on labels under a variety of different names. This legal loophole is one of the many reasons why it is so important to always read product labels when you shop and research any unknown ingredients you come across. If you don’t have time to do research, I always suggest walking away from a potentially toxic product.
I encourage everyone to focus on eating less products and more food. Products are man made in a lab, food is found in nature.
RESOURCES:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1392232/
(2) https://usrtk.org/sweeteners/aspartame-weight-gain/
(3) https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/10/12/UPI-investigative-report-NutraSweet-Questions-swirl/5886561009600/
(4) https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/10/13/UPI-investigative-report-NutraSweet-Questions-swirl/8679561096000/
(5) http://www.mpwhi.com/soffritti_2010_20896_fta.pdf
(6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198207/
(7) https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed2902090.x
(8) https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/19/business/monsanto-to-acquire-g-d-searle.html
(9) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24787915/
(10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772345/
