Why Aspartame Isn't Scary

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Replies

  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    It wouldn't be on sale if it was bad for us. Oh wait, they sell tobacco, alcohol and a trillion other products that are bad for us. Consumed in high amounts everything is bad for us. I think that's what I'm taking away from this. I often wonder if I'm better just putting plain old sugar in my tea. At least I know where I stand with that, been around for years and....oh wait i heard that causes cancer as well. Maybe just everything in moderation and it's ok. But why risk it ? But the fact is we do. We are bombarded with stuff almost on the daily. End up not knowing who to believe

    Well you could start with the original post, written by a biochemist who has studied this compound extensively and took a lot of time to patiently explain the science in not terribly scientific terms so that laypeople can understand it a little better. Or you could check out this link that Gale posted above which I thought was very helpful at assuaging any concerns that a person might have.

    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/aspartame.html
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  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    It wouldn't be on sale if it was bad for us. Oh wait, they sell tobacco, alcohol and a trillion other products that are bad for us. Consumed in high amounts everything is bad for us. I think that's what I'm taking away from this. I often wonder if I'm better just putting plain old sugar in my tea. At least I know where I stand with that, been around for years and....oh wait i heard that causes cancer as well. Maybe just everything in moderation and it's ok. But why risk it ? But the fact is we do. We are bombarded with stuff almost on the daily. End up not knowing who to believe

    Well you could start with the original post, written by a biochemist who has studied this compound extensively and took a lot of time to patiently explain the science in not terribly scientific terms so that laypeople can understand it a little better. Or you could check out this link that Gale posted above which I thought was very helpful at assuaging any concerns that a person might have.

    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/aspartame.html

    Thanks, I do try to read as much as I can. Reading about cancer isn't something I want to do lol. I know, there is much more educated people than me on the subject, I just tend to go with my gut. Who knows, tomorrow asparatme or whatever it's called, probably will be bad for us ! It happens with products all the time who's to say this is any different

    At this point, after 40 years of research, it's probably safe to say that aspartame is safe for consumption. What is largely more important is getting adequate nutrients, getting into a healthy weight and exercising. Aside from genetics, those are the most effective ways to prevent health issues.
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  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    It wouldn't be on sale if it was bad for us. Oh wait, they sell tobacco, alcohol and a trillion other products that are bad for us. Consumed in high amounts everything is bad for us. I think that's what I'm taking away from this. I often wonder if I'm better just putting plain old sugar in my tea. At least I know where I stand with that, been around for years and....oh wait i heard that causes cancer as well. Maybe just everything in moderation and it's ok. But why risk it ? But the fact is we do. We are bombarded with stuff almost on the daily. End up not knowing who to believe

    Well you could start with the original post, written by a biochemist who has studied this compound extensively and took a lot of time to patiently explain the science in not terribly scientific terms so that laypeople can understand it a little better. Or you could check out this link that Gale posted above which I thought was very helpful at assuaging any concerns that a person might have.

    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/aspartame.html

    Thanks, I do try to read as much as I can. Reading about cancer isn't something I want to do lol. I know, there is much more educated people than me on the subject, I just tend to go with my gut. Who knows, tomorrow asparatme or whatever it's called, probably will be bad for us ! It happens with products all the time who's to say this is any different

    At this point, after 40 years of research, it's probably safe to say that aspartame is safe for consumption. What is largely more important is getting adequate nutrients, getting into a healthy weight and exercising. Aside from genetics, those are the most effective ways to prevent health issues.

    I agree. Didn't know there was 40 years research. It's just difficult accepting new things especially when they are from a scientific view point. Fear of the unknown.

    This is why our emotions can be a dangerous guide to decision-making.

    It's hard to keep our emotions out of things (probably impossible for most of us to do it 100%), but fear is a terrible guide in life.
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  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    edited April 2017

    I think aspartame breaking down inside of the body to form formaldehyde is my top health risk concern in my case

    I addressed the concern about formaldehyde in my original post. Quite simply you would get much more formaldehyde from the breakdown of methanol from a glass or grapefruit juice (or any other fruit juice for that matter) than you would from a liter of diet coke. So unless you avoid fruit juice for the same reason I have to question if the levels of methanol content (and from that formaldehyde) are truly a concern.
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  • dfwesq
    dfwesq Posts: 592 Member
    edited April 2017
    kace_kay wrote: »
    Diet sodas may be tied to stroke, dementia risk.

    http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/20/health/diet-sodas-stroke-dementia-study/
    You might want to have a look at this discussion on that article.
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10545803/todays-news-on-diet-soda-pop

    Summarizing: diet sodas correlate with obesity and lack of exercise, which also correlates with dementia and stroke.
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  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Something really is off for me, why do I need this new thing to use when I have sugar ?

    You may not. But someone like a diabetic might have a lit of uses for it. The same way that I don't have any use for decaf coffee but they still sell it in stores. Different people find different things useful. Would you deny them that just because you don't choose to use it?
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  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    Is sugar now back of the cupboard? Iv noticed these new sugars are a lot more expensive, for tiny amounts of the stuff.

    I keep three kinds of sugar plus honey, molasses, and maple syrup in my pantry. I also enjoy my diet soda with aspartame as an afternoon snack. Why do you feel that having more options is a bad thing?

    Pretty much the same for me. I enjoy the taste of Diet Mt. Dew and used it to cut out 700 calories from regular Mt. Dew. I do it because its the only caffeinated beverage I will drink and it increases compliance.

    In my house, I have honey, maple syrup, white sugar, brown sugar and truvia... And they all serve their purpose for a variety of dishes I make.