Are sweeteners found in soda bad like they are made out to be?

The internet gets filled with junk when it’s a hot topic. To sift the truth from the fear look for credible articles peer reviewed and backed by science.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary

There is nothing wrong with federally approved artificial sweeteners. On the FDA site they are referred to as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe).

A few years back I reviewed the scientific literature on aspartame. Two issues were well studied, and here are my personal conclusions:

First, the claim that it caused headaches. A double blind study pretty much put that (and many other reported reactions) to rest. This doesn't mean that it couldn't give an individual some sort of reaction, but that reactions relative to placibo were rare.

Second, the issue that it is broken down into phenylalanine and methanol in the stomach, which is entirely the case. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is common and harmless unless you have a rare allergy to it. Methanol is toxic at some dose, as are a lot of things commonly consumed. The point is that the amount of ethanol in aspartame is so small that it is not a problem. Many common foods have similar levels of it.

Now, you have to make up your own mind.

Maybe. But they're delicious. And the third eyeball and seizures don't bother me all THAT much. Totally not a deal breaker. Pass me another Coke Zero and merry Christmas!