You probably drink soda because you like the taste of it. You probably also figured out years ago that it was nothing but empty calories every time you drank a regular soda. So like many of us, you probably made the transition to diet soda to ensure that you weren’t taking in too many calories in one sitting.
While it’s admirable to transition to diet carbonated beverages to save yourself some calories, you may be subjecting yourself to something far worse than a bit of excess fat. Though diet sodas do offer much of the same taste and appeal that their regular and calorie-laden alternatives do, they are also introducing something that could really damage your health.
Aspartame is the substance to question and though it may go under many different names, it offer a great multitude of health risks. So while many of us are guzzling diet sodas thinking that we’re protecting our health through weight loss, we are actually putting ourselves at greater risks overall. So what can you do to combat this problem and how does it work?
Controversial from the Start
Many of us don’t know the history of aspartame but it was discovered actually by accident. When scientists realized what they had, they moved forward with it right away. The notion of being able to offer the foods and beverages that we like without the sugar and calories that load us down was a gold mine! The problem was that the FDA didn’t approve it right away.
Even after aspartame was approved in the 1980’s it was controversial. The mainstream market which we comprise knew nothing but the fact that it made our favorite foods and drinks taste good and was a much healthier alternative. All the while the debate over this substance raged on as too little was known about it. Changes have been made, but it was a controversial substance from the start.
Too Many Risks
Herein lies the problem—aspartame or anything related to this sugar substitute presents too many health risks. As it is an artificially made substance it is synthetic and therefore unnatural. Aspartame or any sugar substitute can cause anything from headaches to stomach issues in the short term. If you have been suffering from these or extreme exhaustion, gastrointestinal upset, or even dizziness then it’s time to see a doctor and quit using this substance.
What happens if we continue to enjoy carbonated beverages that are sweetened with aspartame? Over time this substance which is perceived as a toxin by the body builds up and can lead to rather dire consequences. This is when the body begins to react by having seizures, blood clots can form, and one can begin to develop chronic fatigue syndrome. Give it more time and the person then becomes at risk for stroke, organ failure, and some very serious health problems that they never anticipated. The bottom line is that a substance that can cause birth defects and worse should never be consumed.
Low Calorie May Mean More Problems
There are a lot of different names out there now for aspartame or related sugar substitutes. No matter what brand name it goes under, the risks are all the same. This substance is truly a toxin and an artificially synthesized one at that. It can cause real problems within the brain which leads to issues such as seizures and strokes.
After prolonged use the body can really start to shut down after using too much aspartame. So you must ask yourself—is it worth it to save some calories and at the same time put yourself at risk for these true health problems? The answer is a resounding no and that means it’s always best to go for real, pure, healthy alternatives. Water will always serve you well and if you must indulge, try a cup of juice for a healthy bump in your day.
Learn more about the foods never to eat in our presentation.
Hi, thinkn1-2. Most of the research on Truvia has been conducted by the manufacturer, so the issue of bias may be significant. Truvia is actually not so natural, as it contains an isolated component of Stevia, on which relatively limited research has been conducted.
I believe your article is very important and is almost equally dangerous as regular “non diet drinks” Most everyone on a diet is “hooked” …literally on diet drinks. I’m a diabetic II and overweight also. I am convinced these sweetener made chemically is a manor problem.
Have any studies been done on the “so called” natural sweeteners? ie:
TRUVIA etc?
I knew diet soda was bad for us, because I used to go shopping for my husband when he was alive, he was on kidney dialysis and we used to get information from the dietician. I drink green, camomile and other waterie teas. I don’t drink anything from a plastic bottle, because of all the parbens that simulate eostrogens.
This topic is a good one because I didn’t know about the aspartame.
What a great article. i have also heard that there are links to Cancer with this artificial sweetener. Steer clear everyone and drink chilled water as this burns calories as your body heats it up once consumed. Much better!
Great informative Article