Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners
With the current epidemic of Obesity sweeping the nation many people are looking for ways to cut calories while not having to sacrifice on taste. With the discovery of artificial sweetners many thought that their prayers were solved, yet after several years of researching these artificial compounds leaves many skeptical. The use of artificial sweeteners remains controversial. A study from the University of Texas showed that people who drank diet soda with aspartame (known as sweet and low) or suralose (known as splenda) in it retained more weight than those who drank regular soda. This didn't seem to make sense at first because how does someone keep weight on when there are no calories in the substance. Researchers found that people who drank aspartame crave sweeter foods due to their use of aspartame and they think that since their drink has no calories in it then they can eat more calories elsewhere. "Recent reports of selected (artificial) sweeteners suggest they are not efficacious in weight loss and may promote weight gain." (Swithers & Davidson, 2008)
Not only may the consumption of aspartame not help with weight loss but it may also be dangerous. Consumption has been shown to cause mild to serious side effects ranging from nuisance headaches to potentially life-threatening cancer.
“Research from Soffritti et al. (2007) provides evidence of the carcinogenic potential of this compound. Their research, using Sprague Dawley fetal rats, has demonstrated a significant increase of malignant tumors in males, an increase in the incidence of lymphomas and leukemias in males and females, and an increase in the incidence of mammary cancer in females. These results reinforce and confirm previous research that also demonstrated the carcinogenicity potential of aspartame and the increased carcinogenetic potential if exposure occurs during gestation. It is notable that the dosage tested approximated the ADI for humans. In other published reports, Blumenthal (1997) reported three case studies wherein women ages 40, 32, and 26 all experienced migraines while chewing a popular gum with aspartame additive. In all cases, the migraines were relieved after cessation of product use. The headaches were reproducible by reintroducing the gum. Additionally, a case report in 2007 revealed four individuals with thrombocytopenia attributed to products containing aspartame (Roberts, 2007). This conclusion was based on recurrence of blood dyscrasia on two or more occasions after rechallenge, and the absence of any other definable factors. One of the reports was of a 10-year-old girl who developed a decline in platelet count to 1,000 cu/mm, coupled with enlargement of the liver and spleen, and a marked increase in histiocytes in the bone marrow. A dramatic clinical and hematological normalization followed when additives were eliminated from her diet. Similar recurrences were documented twice after ingesting aspartame. Remissions were maintained when the client abstained from aspartame products.” (Whitehouse, (2008))
Considering artificial sweeteners have not been around for long term study we still do not know if artificial sweetener consumption is quantitative, meaning that dangers increase over time with long term use. When looking to stay healthy or lose weight it is always better to stick with a healthy lifestyle, whole food diet and exercise rather than looking for a magic substance like artificial sweeteners to give you your sugar kick without the calories. If you still insist on using an artificial sweetener i would recommend using Stevia because it is a naturally occurring artificial sweeteners, yet due to the fact that this substance has only been available to the general public for the past several years there still remain many questions in regards to its long term use and side effects.
Research:
Whitehouse CR, Boullata J, McCauley LA.(2008) The potential toxicity of artificial sweeteners, AAOHN J.;56(6):251-9; quiz 260-1
Swithers, S. E., & Davidson, T. L. (2008). A role for sweet taste: Calorie
predictive relations in energy regulation by rats. Behavioral Neuroscience,
122 (1), 161-173.
Soffritti, M., Belpoggi, F., Tibaldi, E., Esposti, D. D., & Lauriola, M.
(2007). Lifespan exposure to low doses of aspartame beginning
during prenatal life increases cancer effects in rats. Environmental
Health Perspectives. 115 (9), 1293-1297.
Roberts, H. J. (2007). Aspartame-induced thrombocytopenia. Southern
Medical Journal, 100 (5), 543.
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