If you don’t like people hopping on a soap box, then this particular post might not be for you. If you can handle a rant, read on because I’ve got a lot to say about why Aspartame has no place in any food product, anywhere!
After all of the research and anecdotal evidence that shows just how nasty this artificial sweetener can be, I can’t believe that we are still having the debate over Aspartame (You also know it as Nutra Sweet or Equal). That this additive has not been banned internationally is beyond reason. (Actually, it’s not all that surprising when you hear a bit about the history of how this product was approved by the FDA in the first place.)
There is no question that sugar has it’s own set of potential issues and, at Outrageous Baking Company we are constantly testing alternative, all-natural, healthy sweeteners, such as coconut sugar. You will never find a known neurotoxin in any of our gluten-free baked goods or mixes!
Frankly, you shouldn’t have to worry about finding it in any food or beverage anywhere. Unfortunately, you will find Aspartame in more than 6000 food products including gum, diet soda and a multitude of low calorie and diet foods that are often assumed to be healthy. The next time you are checking out at the grocery store, look at the gum selection and see if you can find one without Aspartame. I couldn’t. Here’s a list of gums that contain Aspartame and, yes, Trident and some of the other most popular brands are on this list!
If you are going to chew gum and especially if you have kids who chew gum, choose one sweetened with rice syrup such as Organic Glee Gum or with Xylitol such as Spry. At least Xylitol has been shown to fight cavities and there have been no links to human health issues. (We can debate the pros and cons of gum chewing later but for now at least choose one that’s not toxic!)
Note: Xylitol is toxic for dogs so make sure to keep gum, candies and toothpastes and anything else sweetened with Xylitol away from pets.
Let’s look at this from the gluten-free perspective. Most folks who have chosen or been required to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle, have discovered that food allergies or at least food sensitivities are a root cause of their health issues. Think about how long it can take to diagnose gluten issues. Now imagine how long it can take to diagnose one of the almost 100 health issues related to Aspartame consumption. What are we doing to ourselves? Not only has diet been linked to Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivity and, of course, weight management but to many other health related issues from headaches, fatigue, and autism to joint pain, depression and brain development.
There is no shortage of health concerns that have been linked to Aspartame. Dr. Joseph Mercola is considered a leading wellness expert and has dedicated much of his career to challenging the medical establishment status quo. He has written extensively on the dangers of Aspartame. What you don’t know really can hurt you so I encourage everyone to learn as much as possible about the effects of Aspartame consumption. Check out this video and do some more research.
