Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 05/07/2025 7:38:07 AM PDT by Red Badger
Sugar – sweet, satisfying, and everywhere. From fresh fruit and honey to processed table sugar and drinks, it sneaks into nearly everything we eat.
While delicious, sugar delivers what nutritionists call "empty calories" – energy without any essential nutrients. And with overconsumption linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dental problems, it's no wonder health authorities are urging us to cut back.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting added sugar to less than 10% of daily calorie intake, while the BMJ suggests even lower: no more than six teaspoons (25g) per day for women and nine teaspoons (38g) for men.
In response, many people are turning to non-nutritive sweeteners – sugar alternatives that deliver sweetness without the calories. These include popular options like aspartame, sucralose, stevia and monk fruit extract.
Found in many diet drinks, sugar-free snacks and low-calorie foods, these sweeteners are designed to help manage weight and blood sugar levels.
But not all that tastes sweet is sweet in effect. Let's zoom in on one of the most controversial sugar substitutes: aspartame.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that was discovered in 1965 and is 180–200 times sweeter than sugar. It was first regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1974 and approved for use in dry foods in 1981.
Today, it's estimated to be found in over 6,000 food and drink products and 600 pharmaceutical items.
Aspartame was initially embraced as a tool to help reduce obesity and support diabetics, offering a sweet fix without the sugar spike. But despite decades of use, its safety is still the subject of intense scientific and public debate.
Potential benefits Aspartame has a similar taste to sugar, albeit much more intense, but comes with almost no calories, making it attractive for those who're weight-conscious. With obesity rates soaring globally, even small calorie savings can matter.
Aspartame does not raise blood glucose levels, making it a preferred choice for those managing type 2 diabetes.
However, other research has found potential associations with metabolic syndrome and diabetes risk, suggesting that aspartame should be used as part of a controlled diet rather than a straight swap for sugar.
While assessments suggest that aspartame is safe within current intake guidelines, concerns persist.
Potential risks Some people may experience side-effects like headaches, dizziness, or mood changes. There's emerging evidence linking aspartame to neurodegeneration, strokes and even dementia.
Aspartame can increase levels of phenylalanine and aspartic acid in the brain, which is a serious concern for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited disorder where the body cannot break down phenylalanine.
This causes it to accumulate in the blood and brain, potentially leading to brain damage. People with PKU must avoid aspartame completely.
One study reported symptoms after consuming aspartame including irritability, migraines, anxiety and insomnia, especially with excessive consumption.
In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame) as "possibly carcinogenic", though it remains approved for consumption within existing safety limits. Some studies suggest a link to cancer, but conclusions remain mixed.
It's also advised that pregnant women avoid aspartame, as research suggests it may affect the placenta's structure and function.
Artificial sweeteners, despite being calorie-free, may trick the brain into craving more sweetness. This could lead to increased appetite and weight gain rather than weight loss. In fact, several studies have found a positive correlation between artificial sweetener use and obesity.
Gut health matters Emerging evidence suggests that aspartame and other sweeteners may disrupt the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria that play a key role in digestion, immunity and even mood.
This disruption can negatively affect digestive health and immune function, potentially increasing the risk of infections and other health issues.
Aspartame may offer a tempting sugar-free fix, but it's not without its risks. The World Health Organization advises against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control and research continues to reveal complex links between aspartame and chronic diseases, from neurological issues to gut health concerns.
Hazel Flight, Programme Lead Nutrition and Health, Edge Hill University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
On the few times I accidentally take a sip, I taste metal and get a headache. No thanks.
Cyclamates are the safest artificial sweetener. So they banned them.
Just like J&J had the safest (or only real) Covid vaccine, so they banned it.
Tried it once and had ringing in the ears for hours on end.
I carefully read labels to avoid aspartame.
Apparently it turns into formaldehyde in the brain.
It’s on the no drink list for epilepsy.
I guess I’m lucky. My brain was already full of formaldehyde............
Well said.
All of the sugar alternatives give me tummy troubles. No thanks. It’s easier to cut back on sugar than to use the other kinds, for me anyway.
Sugar turns out to be an ambiguous concept. Does “sugar include high fructose corn syrup, or is the term restricted to cane sugar? I can defiantly tell the difference between a high fructose coke cola and the Mexican version made with cane sugar. The latter is much, much better to my taste. However, I sat through a video where someone analyzed the sugar in both and came to the conclusion that the cane sugar in a Mexican coke quickly became chemically indistinguishable from the domestic, high fructose coke soon after bottling.
Who knows? Medicine is corrupt and only cares about money and left-wing politics. The tree-hugger supplement vegan crowd all sorts of nutjob claims.
SINCE WHEN ARE THERE “ADDITIVES” TO HONEY????
They make artificial honey now................
As you probably know, the late Donald Rumsfeld was involved in the development and approval process of aspartame.
Rumsfeld was CEO of G.D. Serle & Co., a company that developed and sought FDA approval for the artificial sweetener.
Rumsfeld used his government contacts at the FDA to suppress about potential dangers of aspartame. He was later involved in negotiations to sell Serle to Monsanto in 1985. The FDA ultimately approved it after further review and disagreement with claims of potential brain damage and tumors.
Rumsfeld served as Secretary of Defense first under Ford, later under George W. Bush. I appreciated his leadership under W., but all things considered, I suppose that means what? Nobody is perfect.
may, suggests, possibly, could etc. All conclusive data.
I wonder who financed this crusade against something?
So it turns you into a Democrat/Communist? Yikes! -- a fate worse than death!
A CEO’s only duty is to the shareholders. Make them richer, one way or another..................
“SINCE WHEN ARE THERE “ADDITIVES” TO HONEY????”
Since we started importing it from China
Which is why I buy honey from a local bee keeper. Plus eating the local honey builds up resistance to local pollen.
Which I am allergic to some springtime tree pollen.
Been using it since the 80s
Still a conservative
Still alive.
No headaches
No cancer
No zombie-like reactions whatsoever.
YMMV
By definition, this has always been so.
Although, some CEOs may try to nudge their shareholders and/or customers into a different way of thinking.
Example of later:
Harley Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz aggressively pushed the WOKE agenda in advertising; advocating liberal policies on Trans Care for kids, Critical Race Theory , Climate Change and other. After a steep decline in sales, with numerous threats to ‘Bud-Lite’ his company, including a video with (ultimate fighting champion) Sean Strickland explaining why he would be selling his Harley, the CEO has announced his ‘sudden’ retirement.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.