Sweeteners/diet soda

Ok so, I've had a quick search here, tons of different opinions and on the pros and cons of sweeteners and diet sodas. Do we really, really think they are all that bad, Splenda, aspartame ect? I drink almost a full 2litre bottle of Diet Pepsi everyday, along with god knows how many cups of tea, all of which have 4-5 sweetener tablets in em.

Used to be I drank a 2 litre bottle of Dr Pepper a day, and each tea had 3 teaspoons of sugar. Add that to the bajillion energy drinks during school and I was practically a walking, well, hyper, fast moving sugar cube. And here was me thinking I was being good cutting out all that sugar. Now there's talk of cancer, headaches, cravings and obesity? I mean, what I drink now has gotta be better than before right? There must be some way to win.... 

What do you guys think in regards to sweeteners and diet sodas? Yay or nay? 

I believe that moderation is the key.  Drinking 2 liters of sugared soda a day is not healthy, consider I consider artificial sweeteners still as sweets in my diet.  I use them sparingly.  I think that the switch is better than the using the sugar, but you should try and wean yourself off of so much soda, and lessing the amount of artifical sweetener in your tea. 

To sum up, I think what you are drinking is better, but the question is "Is it healthy?"

it's fine, as long as it's in moderation. the amount you're consuming a day can't be too good for you. i think you should may cut back to having 1 can of diet soda a day, and not putting as much sweetner in your tea, etc.

also, in your tea, you could try stevia. it's derrived from a plant and is all-natural, but is also 0-calorie.

personally i don't trust aspartame, it really scares me. its FDA approved, but they don't know all the pros/cons of it. Ever since aspartame came out, it seems like the amount of ppl with cancer has soared. 

( this is just speculation, and solely my opinion , i have no statistics on the relation to cancer part, its just something i've noticed)

like other ppl say moderation is key

I did a research report on aspartame last year, and honestly you'd be better off without it:

Information about its FDA approval:

   It took more than eight years for the FDA to finally approve of aspartame’s use.  In 1974, when it was initially approved by the FDA based only on research performed by G.D. Searle (the manufacturer of aspartame), the approval was challenged due to questions surrounding its safety, specifically whether or not the sweetener posed a risk of brain damage that could result in mental retardation or endocrine dysfunction.  To resolve this issue, the FDA appointed a panel of unbiased pathologists to examine Searle’s research reports. The panel concluded that users would not immediately develop brain damage but recommended long-term testing on animal subjects before approving the product. The board clearly stated to the FDA’s commissioner, Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes Jr., “Do not approve aspartame,” but Dr. Hayes overruled the board and approved of its use despite this warning.  In 1983, not long after he approved of aspartame’s use in carbonated beverages, Dr. Hayes left the FDA for a high paying position with G.D. Searle’s Public Relations Firm. Later that year, aspartame was approved as an ingredient in a large number of food items. Finally, June 27, 1996, without further testing, the FDA did away with every restriction that had applied to aspartame, allowing its use within everything from vitamins to candy to baked goods.

Aspartame's dangerous chemical compostion:

• 50% is made up of phenylalanine (an amino acid found naturally in foods such as meats, grains and dairy products).  Though most people are not negatively affected by phenylalanine, individuals suffering from a rare genetic deficiency known as Phenylketonuria (PKU) have very drastic reactions to this amino acid.  PKU causes an inability to break down phenylalanine normally which can result in severe brain damage.
• 40 % is aspartic acid (a naturally occuring amino acid found within foods containing protein).  Nevertheless, when this acid is ingested in the human body from aspartame, because it is a manufactured amino acid, the blood plasma level of both aspartate and glutamate rise significantly.  Aspartate and glutamate are neurotransmitters in the brain which carry information from neuron to neuron.  When too many neurotransmitters are present, it results in the death of certain neurons by letting an excess amount of calcium into the cells. This influx can result in an excessive number of free radical build up which also kills cells.  Aspartate and glutamate are regarded as ‘excitotoxins’ for “they ‘excite’ or stimulate the neural cells to death.”  In fact, it was found in study performed by Dr. John Olney, a research psychiatrist from the Washington School of Medicine, that when he had mice consume aspartic acid, holes formed within their brains.
• 10% of aspartame is methanol, also known as wood alcohol, a deadly toxin.  Though small amounts of methanol are found naturally within some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages, it is always found along with ethanol, which works as a natural antidote to counter the methanol toxicity that would otherwise occur in humans. However, due to the fact that aspartame is a man-made substance, there is no ethanol present to counter the methanol toxicity, therefore when an individual ingests aspartame, the body breaks its methanol content down into formic acid and formaldehyde, a deadly neurotoxin.  Even when formaldehyde is consumed at very low dosages, over time, its gradual damage can result in the severe damage of a person’s neurological system and immune system.  It can also cause permanent genetic damage.  Due to this danger, the EPA recommends that a person should limit methanol consumption to less than 7.8 mg daily.  People who drink a liter of diet soda could unknowingly consume up to 250 mg, of methanol, 32 times the recommended daily limit.  In addition, when the methanol in aspartame-containing products is heated above 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) it becomes free methanol, which the body absorbs at a significantly higher rate.  Many Desert Storm troops drank carbonated beverages that contained aspartame, and most of these beverages were heated above 86 degrees F due to the high temperatures of Saudi Arabia.  A large number of troops who returned suffered from numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in individuals who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde.  It is believed that it is quite possible that the free methanol created from the heating of these beverages could have played a role in the resulting illnesses.

The Damage:

• The damage from aspartame seems to be slow and silent for those who do not suffer immediate reactions to it, therefore the amount of time it takes for individuals feel its negative effects varies.  For some it may take only a year of consumption, but for others it may take about forty years.  Furthermore, though some of the outcomes of long-term use can be remedied, others’ may suffer irreversible damage.
•   On April 20, 1995 there was an official FDA report of 92 medical conditions associated with aspartame.  The largest complaint, coming from 1,847 people, was of headaches, but there were also complaints of more serious reactions such as seizures and convulsions, memory loss, difficulty breathing, neurological problems, and sleep problems.  Two years later, more aspartame users were complaining of severe toxicity reactions and damage, but Ralph Walton, MD, Chairman of The Center for Behavioral Medicine, found that “the only studies which didn't find problems with aspartame where those funded by the manufacturer."

In my opinion, until conclusive studies are performed, all users should approach use of aspartame with great caution.    

i agree with kate777... did you get that information from Skinny Bitch by any chance?!

in my opinion, it is best to stay away from artificial sweeteners.  they are a chemically created product... and your body has trouble recognizing and digesting them.  i've learned to cut artificial sweeteners out of my diet completely.  its been hard, but so worth it!

if you're craving a soda... indulge in an 8 ounce soda, for 100 calories.  yes its loaded with sugar, but at least it is something your body is familiar with.

for an alternative, i would suggest drinking fresh brewed ice teas.  stevia is an awesome no calorie all natural sweetener!  all natural, nothing artificial... and then you're actually getting the antioxidants of drinking tea.  its a win win! plus it tastes amazing  

I use very little. Not good for you. I am not a believer in "anything" in moderation. 

If you put crap in your body you will get crap out of it.

http://purehealthmd.com/nutrition/healthy-eat ing/sweetners/avoid-artificial-sweeteners.htm l

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.c fm/sugars__the_ugly

Alright alright, I'll try and cut down. Scary facts that look like something from a 80's action film have persuaded me.... Well, a little.  Man, I hate water, tastes like chlorine here ¬ ¬ I aint drinking non of that. I'll have to work something out.

Thanks for the scary info, true or not, tis something to bear in mind. Curse the human body for needing water to be alive. *shakes fist*

My well water is horrible. I buy bottles of water, then I go to the discount store and buy gallon jugs for 40 cents each and fill my bottles. Green tea with lemon is also good.

Artificial sweeteners and soda (in general) also cause unwanted gas. Try to consume them in moderation, especially if you are suffering from digestive diseases such as IBS!

kate777:

thats exactly what i read like a year ago, but i couldn't remember half of it lol so i didn't wanna write it down! thanks for the refresher. i HATE aspartame!

LittleShellys:

"I use very little. Not good for you. I am not a believer in 'anything' in moderation. 

If you put crap in your body you will get crap out of it."

I absoulutely agree, and I wish I'd found that second website you have up there because it actually has some information I wasn't aware of.

I used to be a heavy aspartame user when I was eating my unhealthiest----I'd basically just go through packs of sugar-free gum for days.  When I started eating food again, I wanted to know what the BEST things would be for me, and when I read up on aspartame, despite my cravings, I went cold-turkey on all gum and haven't chewed any for almost two years.  Also, when I started eating more normally (healthier amounts of nutritiously dense foods), my cravings for gum just dissappeared.  If I'm hungry I just deal with it and drink some water, and If I think I have stuff in my teeth or my breath smells bad I brush my teeth.  There's a million healthier alternatives to consuming artificial sweeteners.

HI Kate, It is funny you mentioned the gum. I gave up pop and most other artificial sweeteners years ago but was a huge gum addict. 3 months ago I too quit cold turkey. Not only did my gum addiction go away I also noticed I have way less bloating/gas. I feel much better. I eat clean 90% of the time. The only artificial sweetener I use now is 2 tablespoons of Mrs. Butterworths sugar free syrup once a week. I am a huge pancake/waffle lover and I make whole grain buckwheat pancakes for dinner once a week. I use it then. Other than that I am clean.  Most people who justify artificial sweeteners being OK, not bad or good in moderation are addicted to it in some form or another.

 

Original Post by kate777:

LittleShellys:

"I use very little. Not good for you. I am not a believer in 'anything' in moderation. 

If you put crap in your body you will get crap out of it."

I absoulutely agree, and I wish I'd found that second website you have up there because it actually has some information I wasn't aware of.

I used to be a heavy aspartame user when I was eating my unhealthiest----I'd basically just go through packs of sugar-free gum for days.  When I started eating food again, I wanted to know what the BEST things would be for me, and when I read up on aspartame, despite my cravings, I went cold-turkey on all gum and haven't chewed any for almost two years.  Also, when I started eating more normally (healthier amounts of nutritiously dense foods), my cravings for gum just dissappeared.  If I'm hungry I just deal with it and drink some water, and If I think I have stuff in my teeth or my breath smells bad I brush my teeth.  There's a million healthier alternatives to consuming artificial sweeteners.

I am not, in any way shape or form, trying to say that aspartame is good for you (and 2 L diet pop a day is *way* too much; try replacing some with water, flavoured water or skim milk), but the quote below is misrepresenting information and may therefore scare people unnecessarily.

Original Post by kate777:

Aspartame's dangerous chemical compostion:

• 50% is made up of phenylalanine (an amino acid found naturally in foods such as meats, grains and dairy products).  Though most people are not negatively affected by phenylalanine, individuals suffering from a rare genetic deficiency known as Phenylketonuria (PKU) have very drastic reactions to this amino acid.  PKU causes an inability to break down phenylalanine normally which can result in severe brain damage.
• 40 % is aspartic acid (a naturally occuring amino acid found within foods containing protein).  Nevertheless, when this acid is ingested in the human body from aspartame, because it is a manufactured amino acid, the blood plasma level of both aspartate and glutamate rise significantly.  Aspartate and glutamate are neurotransmitters in the brain which carry information from neuron to neuron.  When too many neurotransmitters are present, it results in the death of certain neurons by letting an excess amount of calcium into the cells. This influx can result in an excessive number of free radical build up which also kills cells.  Aspartate and glutamate are regarded as ‘excitotoxins’ for “they ‘excite’ or stimulate the neural cells to death.”  In fact, it was found in study performed by Dr. John Olney, a research psychiatrist from the Washington School of Medicine, that when he had mice consume aspartic acid, holes formed within their brains.
• 10% of aspartame is methanol, also known as wood alcohol, a deadly toxin.  Though small amounts of methanol are found naturally within some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages, it is always found along with ethanol, which works as a natural antidote to counter the methanol toxicity that would otherwise occur in humans. However, due to the fact that aspartame is a man-made substance, there is no ethanol present to counter the methanol toxicity, therefore when an individual ingests aspartame, the body breaks its methanol content down into formic acid and formaldehyde, a deadly neurotoxin.  Even when formaldehyde is consumed at very low dosages, over time, its gradual damage can result in the severe damage of a person’s neurological system and immune system.  It can also cause permanent genetic damage.  Due to this danger, the EPA recommends that a person should limit methanol consumption to less than 7.8 mg daily.  People who drink a liter of diet soda could unknowingly consume up to 250 mg, of methanol, 32 times the recommended daily limit.  In addition, when the methanol in aspartame-containing products is heated above 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) it becomes free methanol, which the body absorbs at a significantly higher rate.  Many Desert Storm troops drank carbonated beverages that contained aspartame, and most of these beverages were heated above 86 degrees F due to the high temperatures of Saudi Arabia.  A large number of troops who returned suffered from numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in individuals who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde.  It is believed that it is quite possible that the free methanol created from the heating of these beverages could have played a role in the resulting illnesses.

The PKU concern is a valid one - but only for those who have that condition.  All the rest of us need phenylalanine as much as we need all the other essential amino acids.  (Those with PKU are missing an enzyme that would allow their bodies to fully metabolize the phenylalanine so its byproducts build up in the body to toxic levels.  Note that this is *not* a problem for anyone who doesn't have PKU.)

The claim that it makes a difference whether aspartic acid is natural or manufactured is false.  The body can't tell the difference between a natural molecule and a synthetic molecule as long as they are of the same substance (so have the same structure).  Free aspartic acid will only be formed from aspartame if it is broken down in the same way that the body breaks down proteins to make amino acids.  The comparison to dosing mice with pure aspartic acid is not a fair comparison.

There is no methanol in aspartame.  The properties of pure methanol are irrelevant.  Methanol is used to make aspartame, but it's just an ingredient.  Claiming that consumption of aspartame will have the same consequences as consumption of methanol is like claiming that water is flammable because it contains hydrogen.  The aspartame contains some of the atoms from the methanol but not all of them - and the properties of the two species are very different.

The implication that aspartame can produce methanol by heating is misleading.  Heat alone will not cause this to happen - and certainly not any temperature that pop would encounter under normal conditions.  Heating may break the two amino acids apart, but it requires strong acid or strong alkaline to break the methyl ester (get the "methanol" off).  I would be interested in taking a look at the original references stating that 86F is hot enough to break the methyl ester of aspartame in pop - because that's not remotely close to the heat/pH required to break up any methyl ester I've ever worked with.

Note that none of what I've said is meant to imply that aspartame is actually good for you.  It may very well be bad for you (I'm sure it is, in large enough amounts) - but that can be determined by studies of aspartame itself, not just looking at the properties of the ingredients that went into it.

Edited to note that I completely agree with kate's last statement that more conclusive studies need to be done, and I'm more questioning her original sources than her presentation of them here.

Hmm. susiecue I find that all very interesting, and honestly if I could (well if I had ANY idea how) I'd love to do my own laboratory tests.  Heh, unfortunately I have NO idea how I would go about that...

I dunno..I'm so skeptical about "information" these days, and the information on aspartame is so conflicting that its hard for me to confidently take either side.  I'm not afraid of it killing me if I was to start using it again, but I figure that I'm better off without it, anyway.  Same with all preservatives, food dyes, etc..better safe than sorry, you know?      &nbs p;