Aspartame Vs Sugar

InezRny

Hi everyone,

for a really long time I have been using equal in my coffee.. over the weekend I read that aspartame either contains or turns into formaldahyde in the body. I don't know what to do at this point I am thinking of not putting either in my coffee anymore. Which one is better? ::sigh:: I don't put alot of sugar, maybe one to two packets but I usually use three equals in my coffee.

DanaDark

Aspartame is actually a plastic (which is why it does not give you calories). And despite wild speculation, it is fine for your body to metabolize.

1 packet of Equal equates to 4 packets of sugar in sweetness.

The amount of aspartame you'd have to ingest to actually be able to accumulate enough formaldehyde is IMMENSE. So, unless you plan to have meals involving possibly gallons of pure aspartame, do not worry. Your body excretes anything bad from aspartame faster than you can collect it.

wyllaya

you should try STEVIA or TRUVIA........you may have to get use to the taste but i'm convince you will like it

diverdiza

Have you considered Xylitol?
Its natural and tastes much nicer (IMO) than Stevia or artificial stuff...

myfitnessnmhoy

First, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Aspartame has been around since the 1960s and has been in relatively common use for almost 30 years now. I think the only low-cal sweetener with a longer track record is saccharin.

Personally, I find that having constant sweet taste makes me crave sweet things more, so I ended up eliminating low calorie sweeteners (artificial and otherwise) from my diet entirely and it's really helped me with cravings. My coffee is now black, and I've come to dislike putting things in it.

But as far as aspartame goes, you'd have to eat a whole lot of it to do any immediate harm. Long-term effects? Well, since it's been in use for 30 years, we can pretty much say with some confidence that there are few if any 30-year-and-below effects. There is a long term study going on right now. If you use aspartame, you are part of the experimental group. As a member of the control group, I'd like to thank you for your tireless dedication as a research subject.

I'm 45 years old. I figure I have maybe another good 40 years in me. In another 5 years, Aspartame will have a 35-year track record and I'll have 35 years at most left on this planet. At that point, I might start using it regularly because by the time a 35-year issue comes up, I'll almost certainly be dead of something else.

Saccharin is the only one with a long-enough safety history for me to trust it, but that stuff tastes awful to me.

Stevia is too new. It's only approved for daily use (other than as a low-dose supplement) since late 2008. It's gonna be a good parcel of years before I trust anything other than trace doses of that. Though, to be fair, the Japanese have been using it since the 1970s, so it's got a decent track record over there at least.

Laurie1267

Have you considered Xylitol?
Its natural and tastes much nicer (IMO) than Stevia or artificial stuff...

I agree - bought mine at a health food store.

Krystalmyth

First, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Aspartame has been around since the 1960s and has been in relatively common use for almost 30 years now. I think the only low-cal sweetener with a longer track record is saccharin.

Personally, I find that having constant sweet taste makes me crave sweet things more, so I ended up eliminating low calorie sweeteners (artificial and otherwise) from my diet entirely and it's really helped me with cravings. My coffee is now black, and I've come to dislike putting things in it.

But as far as aspartame goes, you'd have to eat a whole lot of it to do any immediate harm. Long-term effects? Well, since it's been in use for 30 years, we can pretty much say with some confidence that there are few if any 30-year-and-below effects. There is a long term study going on right now. If you use aspartame, you are part of the experimental group. As a member of the control group, I'd like to thank you for your tireless dedication as a research subject.

I'm 45 years old. I figure I have maybe another good 40 years in me. In another 5 years, Aspartame will have a 35-year track record and I'll have 35 years at most left on this planet. At that point, I might start using it regularly because by the time a 35-year issue comes up, I'll almost certainly be dead of something else.

Saccharin is the only one with a long-enough safety history for me to trust it, but that stuff tastes awful to me.

Stevia is too new. It's only approved for daily use (other than as a low-dose supplement) since late 2008. It's gonna be a good parcel of years before I trust anything other than trace doses of that. Though, to be fair, the Japanese have been using it since the 1970s, so it's got a decent track record over there at least.

Japanese health is impeccable as well. Their obesity rates are nonexistant.

dandaninc

First, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Aspartame has been around since the 1960s and has been in relatively common use for almost 30 years now. I think the only low-cal sweetener with a longer track record is saccharin.

Personally, I find that having constant sweet taste makes me crave sweet things more, so I ended up eliminating low calorie sweeteners (artificial and otherwise) from my diet entirely and it's really helped me with cravings. My coffee is now black, and I've come to dislike putting things in it.

But as far as aspartame goes, you'd have to eat a whole lot of it to do any immediate harm. Long-term effects? Well, since it's been in use for 30 years, we can pretty much say with some confidence that there are few if any 30-year-and-below effects. There is a long term study going on right now. If you use aspartame, you are part of the experimental group. As a member of the control group, I'd like to thank you for your tireless dedication as a research subject.

I'm 45 years old. I figure I have maybe another good 40 years in me. In another 5 years, Aspartame will have a 35-year track record and I'll have 35 years at most left on this planet. At that point, I might start using it regularly because by the time a 35-year issue comes up, I'll almost certainly be dead of something else.

Saccharin is the only one with a long-enough safety history for me to trust it, but that stuff tastes awful to me.

Stevia is too new. It's only approved for daily use (other than as a low-dose supplement) since late 2008. It's gonna be a good parcel of years before I trust anything other than trace doses of that. Though, to be fair, the Japanese have been using it since the 1970s, so it's got a decent track record over there at least.

Black coffee is the way to go. I also agree with cutting out as much sweet from your diet as you can. Not only will you find it easier to track but you will also learn to love food without having to flavor it. It's like trying beer for the first time. It's not delicious but you learn to love it over time. Just teach your body.

WildFlower7

I use "Stevia in the raw" for everything. I buy packets for coffee and tea and I buy in bulk for baking, cooking, etc. I LOVE the stuff. No calories + No Aspartame = a winner to me!

mkbledsoe

I tend to use splenda. It is sucralose. I would use the stevia brands, but it doesn't like to dissolve. Splenda is also better for baking. I try to stay away from aspartame. Honestly, probably none of the sweetners are good for you, but we don't really have any other good alternatives right now.

rprussell2004

SPLENDA IS ONLY TWO MOLECULES OFF OF DEATH AND ASPARTAME CAUSES BRAIN HOLES IN LAB RATS.

ONLY EVER EAT ORGANIC XYLISPENVIATOL OR YOU WILL DISSOLVE INTO A GOOEY PILE OF NECROTIC DENDRITES.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE MY COUSIN DATED A SCIENTIST'S DOCTOR AND SHE READ IT ON THE INTERNET ONCE.

150930

My philo is when in doubt, use the real stuff in moderation. Prevention is better than cure. Food products like Traditions can last for eternity but it does not make it is beneficial.

billsica

Japanese health is impeccable as well. Their obesity rates are nonexistant.

Japan has the highest rates of stomach cancer. They should be coating their guys with healthy protective Aspartame.

davidr730

My understanding from the professor in my nutrition class is these sugar substitutes trick you pancreas to make insulin because your body thinks it's getting sugar. Personally I'd rather have a few extra calories than to put the strain on my pancreas by spiking production for no reason.

davidr730

What scares me about Splenda is it's relatively new. There are no real long term affects known.

I tend to use splenda. It is sucralose. I would use the stevia brands, but it doesn't like to dissolve. Splenda is also better for baking. I try to stay away from aspartame. Honestly, probably none of the sweetners are good for you, but we don't really have any other good alternatives right now.

3foldchord

All I know is Aspartame (and any other artificual sweetners) gives me bad headaches and/or migraines.

-Kimberly
3foldchord

tigersword

Hi everyone,

for a really long time I have been using equal in my coffee.. over the weekend I read that aspartame either contains or turns into formaldahyde in the body. I don't know what to do at this point I am thinking of not putting either in my coffee anymore. Which one is better? ::sigh:: I don't put alot of sugar, maybe one to two packets but I usually use three equals in my coffee.

Fruits, vegetables, and meat all also turn into formaldehyde in the body. Formic acid (formaldehyde) is actually a normal byproduct of human metabolism. You breathe some out every time you exhale.

Bakkasan

SPLENDA IS ONLY TWO MOLECULES OFF OF DEATH AND ASPARTAME CAUSES BRAIN HOLES IN LAB RATS.

ONLY EVER EAT ORGANIC XYLISPENVIATOL OR YOU WILL DISSOLVE INTO A GOOEY PILE OF NECROTIC DENDRITES.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE MY COUSIN DATED A SCIENTIST'S DOCTOR AND SHE READ IT ON THE INTERNET ONCE.

Freaking priceless!

HorseWithNoName27

Personally, I think the best choice would to be use neither artificial sweetener nor sugar. BUT, I only think that...I myself cannot drink coffee without having a Splenda or sugar packet in there. Hypocrisy is OK as long as you're honest about it, right? :laugh: For this reason, I tend to avoid coffee...it gives me headaches as well, so there's that.

In all seriousness, it's probably better to use something more natural--sugar or stevia--in moderation than something made in a lab. Just my two cents. Do what makes you feel good and helps with your goals. :drinker:

caraiselite

truvia ftw. surprised you don't use splenda at least!



if you like equal, stick with it. there's no reason to change.

niftyafterfifty

Aspartame is poison to your body. You would be better off using regular sugar.

BeverlyC26

Saw on Dr Oz the other day - they said it was fine. Lots of myths about aspartame but it's not harmful for you.
Think about it - the FDA would pull it if it really caused cancer in HUMANS.
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-oz-diet/dr-oz-sugar-substitutes-aspartame-vs-saccharin-vs-sucralose/

DieVixen

Aspartame is poison to your body. You would be better off using regular sugar.

Really...whats your source?

thejen75

I absolutely agree - Just use regular sugar in moderation. I've always heard iffy stories about these artificial sweeteners, so I just trust my gut and stay away from them. Eliminates any doubt. :-)

skpstone

SPLENDA IS ONLY TWO MOLECULES OFF OF DEATH AND ASPARTAME CAUSES BRAIN HOLES IN LAB RATS.

ONLY EVER EAT ORGANIC XYLISPENVIATOL OR YOU WILL DISSOLVE INTO A GOOEY PILE OF NECROTIC DENDRITES.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE MY COUSIN DATED A SCIENTIST'S DOCTOR AND SHE READ IT ON THE INTERNET ONCE.

OW! My precious organs!!!

candice382

SHE READ IT ON THE INTERNET ONCE.

That's the problem with a lot of the posts on here.

Cristofori44

I used to have aspartame but switched to raw sugar. Yeah, it's still sugar but I only use two packets at the most, so not a big deal in terms of calories or blood sugar as I'm not diabetic. Have a friend who is diabetic and she sticks with Sweet N. Low.

Also, Stevia is not that bad--a little bitter but if I have the sweetness bug, it can do the trick.

rprussell2004

I used to have aspartame but switched to raw sugar. Yeah, it's still sugar but I only use two packets at the most, so not a big deal in terms of calories or blood sugar as I'm not diabetic. Have a friend who is diabetic and she sticks with Sweet N. Low.

Also, Stevia is not that bad--a little bitter but if I have the sweetness bug, it can do the trick.

Actually, I have heard (yeah, yeah, I know...) that of them all, good ol' saccharin is still the "healthiest" of the bunch.

Idunno. I appreciate the one person who chimed in with "All I know is that *I* get headaches..." - personal experience FTW. I'm personally lucky that none of them really cause me any side effects.

And Trader Joes sells a pure stevia extract for a very good price - just a TEENY bit does wonders in my coffee.

InezRny

Wow thank you for all of the feedback! It really means alot to me. I had no idea that aspartame was not the only thing that caused that reaction in the body!! I think I am going to switch to plain coffee no sugar or substitutes!

htdotnet

Ever thought about drinking green tea, or even matcha with no sweetner? If you need a sweetner, best options are Agave Nectar, Palm Sugar (I.e. From Coconut Trees), or Dates Sugar (RAW, Dehydrated, then ground) Very sweet, nutritious, and packed with energy. I've lost 110 lbs in 6 months, and did so in a healthy manner (Visited Dr every month to ensure I was healthy). I did it not by following diets, but by focusing on the study of Endrocrine and how metabolism works. I've written a book on the subject, which I'm trying to get out by EOY 2012. I've also done a lot of study in Molecular & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Nutrition. My opinion, anything not naturally occuring should be avoided. As in regards to Aspartame... Look up the molecular structure, and you'll see it breaks down to Methanol, which is easily broken down to Formaldehyde. And aside on the disputes here, and on other sites. Is it really worth the risk when there's scientific proof either way?

Ken Wincel: Wincel.net

Matt_Wild

My understanding from the professor in my nutrition class is these sugar substitutes trick you pancreas to make insulin because your body thinks it's getting sugar. Personally I'd rather have a few extra calories than to put the strain on my pancreas by spiking production for no reason.

Sigh. Do we have to go thro this AGAIN. Not they do not. How many studies do you want me to show that show this is HOG WASH. The only sweeteners that do are the ones that can maltodextin which IS a carb so will cause insulin, which is no miracle of science!

Aspartame is NOT plastic, it is TWO amino acids. You have more of the compounds found in aspartame in a piece of chicken than you do in a can of diet coke. Whats more, aspartame cannot cross the brain barrier and cannot effect the brain. Please show me ONE study showing this.

Ps - I'm not a mouse and any toxic doses were found in mice being given the equivalent DAILY of 33 cans a day. Can't say many people do that DAILY for weeks on end...