Posted on 12/09/2022 9:34:20 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Researchers have linked aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in nearly 5,000 diet foods and drinks, to anxiety-like behavior in mice.
"This study is showing we need to look back at the environmental factors," said Pradeep Bhide.
Along with producing anxiety in the mice who consumed aspartame, the effects extended up to two generations from the males exposed to the sweetener.
The study came about because of previous research from the Bhide Lab on the transgenerational effects of nicotine on mice. The research showed temporary—or epigenetic—changes in mice sperm cells. Unlike genetic changes (mutations), epigenetic changes are reversible and don't change the DNA sequence; however, they can change how the body reads a DNA sequence.
"We were working on the effects of nicotine on the same type of model," Bhide said. "The father smokes. What happened to the children?"
The FDA approved aspartame as a sweetener in 1981. Today, nearly 5,000 metric tons are produced each year. When consumed, aspartame becomes aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, all of which can have potent effects on the central nervous system.
Led by Sara Jones, the study involved providing mice with drinking water containing aspartame at approximately 15% of the FDA-approved maximum daily human intake. The dosage, equivalent to six to eight 8-ounce cans of diet soda a day for humans, continued for 12 weeks in a study spanning four years.
Pronounced anxiety-like behavior was observed in the mice through a variety of maze tests across multiple generations descending from the aspartame-exposed males.
"It was such a robust anxiety-like trait that I don't think any of us were anticipating we would see," Jones said. "It was completely unexpected. Usually you see subtle changes."
When given diazepam, a drug used to treat anxiety disorder in humans, mice in all generations ceased to show anxiety-like behavior.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It would seem difficult to identify, in my perspective.
According to the article, the real question is how much of our future generations will go around with NutraSweet-based anxiety because our generation altered our DNA with it.
Fortunately they make anti anxiety meds so I can still have my diet soda
“going around with NutraSweet-based anxiety.”
Why, I’ve been drinking pure aspartame for years and I’m fine! At least I think I’m fine. Am I fine? I hope I’m fine. Should I worry?
Synthetics belong in lubricants not in food.
Even ore natural high fructose corn syrup and highly processed sugar isn't good.
My anxiety was much worse as a teenager, before aspartame was in use. Now I drink Diet Coke all the time and have very little anxiety.
lol
Nutrasweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin®. are made with Aspartame. All genetically modified and horrible for your body.
I use Stevia.
Until they find out your anti anxiety meds also cause schizophrenia and brain cancer.
;-)
Aspartame causes brain tumors and it can happen quickly. I heard that decades ago from a scientist/chemist who worked for the company and who left it once this was discovered and he said, “Before the lawsuits hit”. I have never touched the stuff.
My main concern is all these mice with anxiety...
How would you know mice were experiencing anxiety?
They get nervous around cats.
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