Controversy on Artificial Sweeteners

American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) Debunks Aspartame Myths

I have used all sorts of artificial sweeteners all of my life. I've always asked people who talk of the negative effects of using them to show me some sort of documentation that I can read for myself, that it is bad for you.

In my defense for continuing my use of these products, I found this link that I wanted to share. I am not suggesting that anyone runs out and buys Spenda, Nutrasweet or any other of the numerous brands that are available to aid in weight loss if they're not comfortable using them.

I will tend to agree that the use of artificial sweeteners could lead to weight gain with the reason being that people will assume that they can eat more of other foods since they are using artificial sweeters in other areas of their eating habits.

I also found that by researching the pros and cons of the use of Aspartame and others, the words or phrases such as "could lead to", "might cause", "still undetermined", "is suspected", and many others were overwhelming. On the other hand, I did not find anywhere that said anything leading me to believe that negative results about the use has been proven, documented or is conclusive.

Until I can read the results of some sort of "in your face" study with documentation from a legitimate resource, I will continue to consume Aspartamine and others.

Just so you know, this could practically be an example in the "drama threads" thread. 

I agree with your assessment.

personally I will eat things that have them but if i have a choice on my sweetner such as in backing mixed drinks coffee tea etc I have been using stevia for a while now ( since like 2001)  it like all zero calorie sweetners has a certain taste not sure but sweet.

I was stoked when i heard the FDA has offically approved it to be a sweenter it has been called a dietary supplement for a very long time.  But yea zero glycemic index and natural.  You should keep an eye out for soft drinks etc using this product I know sobe is comming out with a line of 3 drinks with it and I cannot see why soda companies etc will not follow suit I keep 4 flavors of it in my purse at all times and 5 flavors at my desk at all times.

You can find the powdered/ grandular version under name brand of sweet leaf in the natural foods section liquid drops are found online I personally buy them from amazon.

I have read that the Artificial sweetners actually mess with your metabolic rate but ehh to each thier own.  Does not get between me and my diet coke but i do drink less.

Well, personally I know Aspartame doesn't agree with me, I get headaches from it, so I don't consume it. Also, for some reason the taste of sucralose really stands out to me, so if something has it that is all I can taste, so I don't consume that either. I just all around try to stay away from artificial sweeteners... but I'm not crusading against them or anything.

It wasn't the "risks" of aspartame that made me quit it, it was the fact that it does not help people lose weight, and in many cases causes them to gain weight.

But if you like it, knock yourself out!

Just to keep the controversy going:

According to the Congressional Quarterly's Public Interest Profiles, Whelan's organization received more than 75 percent of their funding from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. As a result, the ACSH has been accused of being more of a public relations firm, and less of a neutral council on Science. Jeff Stier, Associate Director of ACSH, has claimed that this information is outdated and inaccurate, with ACSH receiving less than 50 percent of their funding from industry. Despite Dr. Whelan's oft-repeated denial that ACSH is influenced by its funders, there are instances in which funders are known to have participated directly in the production of council publications. According to the council's former administrative director, The Hershey Company did the in-house printing of an ACSH booklet on the health effects of sugar consumption, and the Stroh Brewery Company participated in the editing of a booklet about the health effects of alcohol. The participation of those companies was not acknowledged by ACSH.[1]

The now defunct Tufts University Nutrition Navigator produced a rating guide to nutrition websites. It gave the ACSH site a rating of 20 out of 25 and an Accuracy of Information rating of 8 out of 10. However, it commented, "This site aims to arm consumers with the facts necessary to make wise decisions about health, but be aware that the information here is biased and represents a very conservative interpretation of current science. Consumers looking for a balanced debate on health issues will have to look elsewhere."[2]

My sister is a Nurse-practitioner who has read medical studies showing that aspartame increases appetite. I didn't ask her for the source; she's a pretty good scholar so I trust her research. But that was enough for me (b/c I was always hungry after drinking soda or water with aspartame), so I cut it out and the increased hunger went away.

It doesn't matter to me of the group is receiving 75% or 50% of its funding from the industries; ANY percent is too much.

Just my 2 cents worth--

Original Post by mkculs:

My sister is a Nurse-practitioner who has read medical studies showing that aspartame increases appetite. I didn't ask her for the source; she's a pretty good scholar so I trust her research. But that was enough for me (b/c I was always hungry after drinking soda or water with aspartame), so I cut it out and the increased hunger went away.

I disagreed with that so much when I started drinking diet coke. But I have noticed my appetite for sugar has increased SO MUCH since I started. I never ate many sugary foods because of sensitive teeth... now it's ALL I crave. I have 4 cans left in the fridge and when they go, they're gone for good. But I do believe that it increases the need for real sugar. I used to use soda as a way to feel full from meals. As drinking soda with anything always made me full quicker, so I wanted to use it. I'm probably better off using regular coke.

So therefore, I now agree with the increased appetite thing.

For those who suffer like I do with the diet sodas.   I have found a way to replace a little of that craving.  To help me stop.. err try to

I take plain seltzer or a flavored kind and add a few drops of liquid stevia to it. You can get sweetleaf flavored stevia. My fave is the orange soda replacement of mandrin seltzer and the valencia orange setvia. Please keep in mind it's not going to be your normal bright orange yummy goodness but it helps kick the craving.

I have been drinking alot of loose leaf teas to curb my diet coke craving.. Because lets face it we all need our caffiene fix in a low cal way.. when I need it sweetened I use unflavored stevia.