Aspartame "sensitives" study published

yarwell
yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
After a long delay a study of self-reported "aspartame sensitive" subjects has been published

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116212

In a double blinded random crossover study no effect of aspartame was recorded in either the self reported sensitive group or the matched "normal" individuals.

The sensitive group had high triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol at baseline (more carbs ?) and there were also significant psychological differences between the two groups.

The aspartame dose was given in a snack bar, leaving the study open to criticism that it might be different in a drink. In terms of the acute effect of ingesting the chemical aspartame, none were found.
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Replies

  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    Excellent post, thanks.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    herrspoons wrote: »
    Or, in other words, people were just being precious.

    "significant psychological differences between the two groups" was a clue I guess. Same as the "electrosensitives" who fear wi-fi. They were self selecting people claiming to have problems with aspartame...
    Although 268 self-reported aspartame sensitive individuals (AS) inquired, only 53 (21 men, 32 women) attended and gave their informed consent to take part in the study, with only 48 completing both sessions.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    Can we link this every time an "aspartame is baaaad" post comes up?
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.
  • Faelor
    Faelor Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you for posting this yarwell. Sometimes it can be difficult to discredit personal experiences; I wish people were a bit more understanding of studies of research (from actual professionals and peer review).
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    So some people are "sensitive" to aspartame. What's the big deal. Millions of people are sensitive to millions of different foods. Why should this be any different?

    I, for example, am severely sensitive to soy. This sensitivity to soy, combined with an over-consumption of soy, has caused me to be sensitive to almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, dairy, eggs, spelt, wheat, gluten, and scallops.

    I don't see what the big deal is.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    Do you mind linking those studies you've seen?
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,228 Member
    I accept that aspartame can cause reactions in some people - things like migraines.
    Other people get migraines from MSG or other triggers.

    This does not mean me. Or anyone else, should stay away from the product any more than everyone should stay away from peanuts or seafood or anything else that causes allergy or sensitivity on other people.
  • tat2cookie
    tat2cookie Posts: 1,899 Member
    I agree with the previous posters. For years I suffered with blinding headaches and fatigue. I came across a medical article about the possible side effects of aspartame, both were on the list. I was willing to try anything at the time (this was almost 5 years ago). I quit drinking diet pop and started reading ingredients. I don't care if it was just a stroke of luck or that is what was really the issue, but I haven't had any issues since. I'll continue to stay away from it.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.


    No, what is means is you don't react well to aspartame. Some people die from eating peanuts - does that mean peanuts are toxic to the human body? of course not.
  • lomajo17
    lomajo17 Posts: 7 Member
    This study didn't include all symptoms connected to aspartame intake. While I have had no psychological reactions to aspartame, I can tell you with certainty that it aggravated my scalp psoriasis and I lost patches of hair around my hairline.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    Do you mind linking those studies you've seen?

    Not worth my time, you can easily find them yourself.

    I have nothing to prove but was only sharing my personal experience. If someone tolerates aspartame, then drink away, it won't hurt my feelings.
  • sgthaggard
    sgthaggard Posts: 581 Member
    My only 'sensitivity' to Aspartame is to the aftertaste.
  • HardcoreP0rk
    HardcoreP0rk Posts: 936 Member
    edited April 2015
    I don't know how you can blind an aspartame study of this sort. I can absolutely taste aspartame every single time. Doesn't mean that I believe anyone is "sensitive" to it... but without being in pill form I'm not sure you can really blind the study.

    ETA: It helps, of course, that this was a crossover study.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    I don't know how you can blind an aspartame study of this sort. I can absolutely taste aspartame every single time. Doesn't mean that I believe anyone is "sensitive" to it... but without being in pill form I'm not sure you can really blind the study.

    ETA: It helps, of course, that this was a crossover study.
    Maybe imitate the flavor with different ingredients?
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    Do you mind linking those studies you've seen?

    Not worth my time, you can easily find them yourself.

    I have nothing to prove but was only sharing my personal experience. If someone tolerates aspartame, then drink away, it won't hurt my feelings.

    You claim to have seen the studies proving the hazards, studies we have all looked for and haven't been able to find conclusive evidence but you won't show it to us? It isn't worth your time to show us how you based your conclusion so everyone should just believe it? Basically it would be safe to see that your opinion can just be disregarded by everyone due to lack of substance.

    That is right, not worth my time. I know your type, nothing can be correct if it differs from your opinion. Even if I provide links to the studies you will find fault.

    I only share my personal experience and opinion. Aspartame is one of the most researched and debated food additives, there are plenty of studies and even full books written on the topic.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    Do you mind linking those studies you've seen?

    Not worth my time, you can easily find them yourself.

    I have nothing to prove but was only sharing my personal experience. If someone tolerates aspartame, then drink away, it won't hurt my feelings.
    Why am I not surprised? It's always "I can't be assed" or a link to some blog or news article. Rarely an actual study that actually says the opposite of what was claimed.
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    I too experience slurred speech after consuming diet soda... not sure if its the rum or diet coke that is the problem though!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    My personal experience from about five years ago;

    Before I ever heard of MFP I switched to diet sodas in an attempt to lose weight. I drank two to three diet 12 ounce sodas daily. Normally I carried two in my lunch and had them at work in the early afternoon.

    I began to experience slurring of my speech during the day after consuming the diet soda. The condition became worse and occurred more often over time.

    I read that aspartame could cause headaches and slurring of speech so I cut out diet sodas completely. Within 24 hours the slurred speech stopped and has never occurred again.

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    Do you mind linking those studies you've seen?

    Not worth my time, you can easily find them yourself.

    I have nothing to prove but was only sharing my personal experience. If someone tolerates aspartame, then drink away, it won't hurt my feelings.

    You claim to have seen the studies proving the hazards, studies we have all looked for and haven't been able to find conclusive evidence but you won't show it to us? It isn't worth your time to show us how you based your conclusion so everyone should just believe it? Basically it would be safe to see that your opinion can just be disregarded by everyone due to lack of substance.

    That is right, not worth my time. I know your type, nothing can be correct if it differs from your opinion. Even if I provide links to the studies you will find fault.

    I only share my personal experience and opinion. Aspartame is one of the most researched and debated food additives, there are plenty of studies and even full books written on the topic.

    Logical-Fallacies-burden-of-proof-620x390.jpg
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,904 Member

    I am certainly not qualified to comment on the study linked above but have seen many studies that document the hazards of aspartame and I also know my personal experience. I am absolutely convinced that aspartame is toxic to the human body and at best is a diversion from proven weight loss techniques.

    While I'm all for sharing, there are a few things to keep in mind. I think most everything is toxic. No really. That's the point of toxicity; dosage. Second, let's not overstate the overall value in knowing someone else's personal experiences with a substance.

    I'm led to believe that there are lots of people who don't have a problem drinking a glass of milk. It would not be pleasant if I did. I would not suggest that other people avoid milk.