NutraSweet or Aspartame, which is the sweetener in thousands of
processed food products labeled �lite� or �diet� products, was created
in 1965 by a chemist who discovered it when trying to create an
anti-ulcer drug. Aspartame is a combo of two amino acids, aspartic
acid and phenylalanine.
NutraSweet or Aspartame, which is the sweetener in thousands of processed food products labeled �lite� or �diet� products, was created in 1965 by a chemist who discovered it when trying to create an anti-ulcer drug. Aspartame is a combo of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. The chemist found that the resulting dipeptide, a molecule consisting of two amino acids had an intensely sweet taste and soon it became a product that could compete in the low calorie food. However there is a dark side: FDA approval was taken back within 6 months because of toxic reactions and major concerns by scientists who knew aspartame was a lethal poison. In fact, a 1996 report compiled from 10,000 consumer complaints obtained during the pre-marketing testing period, the FDA listed 92 aspartame-related symptoms, from seizures to death. But the feisty chemist refused to give up efforts to get FDA approval, even denying that they had a sweet poison on their hands.
So what is so toxic about two amino acids, you ask? Well, each molecule of NutraSweet, when it reaches a temperature of 86 degrees F (the body�s normal temperature is 98.6 and warehouses in the summer�s sun can reach temperatures far higher than that, right?) breaks down into its two amino acids (a molecule each of phenylalanine and aspartic acid, both excitotoxins) and a molecule of methanol (wood alcohol!). This then metabolizes into formaldehyde (embalming fluid and a known carcinogen), formic acid and another known carcinogen. While its true that maybe a small amount of any of these toxins can be tolerated by some people, especially the well nourished, I wouldn�t want to take the chance, as there�s plenty of evidence that�s it a poison. Aspartame has been linked with seizures, multiple sclerosis, headaches, lupus, insomnia, fibromyalgia, arthritis, depression, anxiety and dozens more diseases and disorders. And if that is not enough to convince readers to quit the NutraSweet habit, I just don�t know what is!
