*Note: This is solely my opinion on aspartame based on personal experiences and research.

Diet Pepsi, Sugar-Free Gum, Low-Calorie Sweeteners. What exactly makes them taste sweet? In most cases the sweetener is a deadly chemical called Aspartame (also known as Equal, NutraSweet, Equal-Measure, etc).

If you are like me then you probably reach for the packets of artificial sweeteners when having that morning tea or coffee at work. It hit me one morning a few years back when I took a look at the packaging…a really good look: “Take only on the advice of a physician”. Woah! Hold on a second- I have to talk to a doctor before downing this stuff??! This piqued my curiosity so I decided to do a little more research into aspartame and WOW did it change my perception of this so called ‘miracle sweetener’.

There have been many scientifically backed studies that have linked aspartame consumption to the following ailments:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Headaches & Migraines
• Memory Loss
• Brain Tumors
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Heart Palpitations
• Anxiety attacks
• Joint Pain
• Birth Defects
• Cancer (Brain Cancer)
• Obesity (It actually causes you to crave carbohydrates)
• And a whole laundry list of other problems

So how did Aspartame get such a bad reputation?

Well lets go back to how it was discovered. Back in 1965 James Schlatter, a chemist with the G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug and discovered Aspartame by accident. In the 80’s it was then approved for first dry goods then beverages. And thus started our obsession with the so called miracle low-cal sweetener. (Note: Aspartame was denied by the FDA more than half a dozen times before they finally approved it for consumption.)

So What Exactly is in Aspartame?

Aspartame is comprised of three chemicals: Aspartic Acid (40%), Phenylalanine (50%), and incredibly wood alcohol/methanol (10%) -all labeled in various publications as ‘chemical toxins or poison’. This cocktail of deadly chemicals does a real number on the human body- affecting everything from memory loss (completely counter productive to the inherent properties found in many whole leaf teas) to Parkinson’s disease (see our blog on how to combat Parkinson’s Disease). Some of these ailments are noticeable right away, while others are acute reactions often occurring gradually.

What Are the Alternatives?

Instead of reaching for aspartame/ sweet n low/ sugar twin try using an all natural alternative such as honey. We sell a great assortment of flavored honey sticks at our virtual storefront. (Note: If you have children under 1 years of age see the alternative below as they should not consume honey)

Honey is great because:

• It is nutritious. Honey contains vitamins like B6, niacin, thiamine, minerals, iron, zinc and certain amino acids. Honey is completely safe for pregnant women to consume and can provide these much needed nutrients.
• Has a healthy Glycemic Index (GI). This essentially means that its sugars can be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream resulting in better digestion and higher rate of metabolism (for weight loss and maintenance).
• Energy. Honey is a great source of natural carbohydrates and has been proven to boost natural performance, endurance and reduce muscle fatigue in athletes. Our honey comes in pre sealed sticks which make them perfect for camping, hiking, or any other instance where you need a quick burst of energy to keep you going.
• Cold Fighter. Honey helps to boost your immunity against sickness as it is high in antioxidants. There’s some truth to your mother telling you to drink up a mug of honey lemon tea when you were a kid! Add honey to a cup of green tea for a double shot of antioxidants that will help kick start your immune system faster than I can fall off a horse (and that’s pretty flippin fast – Ask Beth, she has seen it first hand.).
• Love the Skin You’re In. Honey is added to a full spectrum of beauty products including skin care, hair care, tanning lotions, facial scrubs, baby care, and moisturizers. And there is good reason why- honey’s hygroscopic (ability to absorb moisture) properties are ideal for cosmetics because they help alleviate dried skin while rejuvenating.

If you have children that are extremely young it is advised that they do not consume honey as their digestive systems are not developed enough to fend off any spores created by the bacterium naturally found in honey. Agave nectar is a good option that does not spike blood sugar and can be purchased at most health food stores and organic food markets.

The short and sweet of it all: Quit consuming products that contain aspartame. If the above list of symptoms did not make the health concerns associated with aspartame consumption clear enough then consider this- when you ingest products containing aspartame, your body processes it and turns it into formic acid. Essentially formaldehyde… that’s right – the stuff that morticians preserve dead bodies with. So stop pickling yourself! Don’t just take my word for it… Take 20 minutes and do some research, and you will see that the miracle sweetener is anything but a miracle.