Aspartame: By Far the Most Dangerous
Substance Added to Most Foods Today
Dr.Mercola et al
Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful,
and Equal-Measure. It was discovered by accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a
chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug.
Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in
1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections filed
by neuroscience researcher Dr. John W. Olney and consumer attorney James
Turner in August 1974, as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices
caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame
on hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made
Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.
Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives
reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious, including seizures
and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as
part of aspartame dangers are:
Headaches/
migraines
Dizziness
Seizures
Nausea
Numbness
Muscle
spasms
Weight gain
Rashes
Depression
Fatigue
Hearing loss
Loss of taste
Irritability
Tachycardia
Insomnia
Vision
problems
Heart
palpitations
Breathing
difficulties
Anxiety
attacks
Slurred
speech
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Memory loss
Joint pain
According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame,
the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of
aspartame:
Brain tumors
Multiple
sclerosis
Epilepsy
Chronic
fatigue
syndrome
Alzheimer's
Mental
retardation
Lymphoma
Birth defects
Parkinson's
disease
Fibromyalgia
Diabetes
Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and
methanol. The bookPrescription for Nutritional Healing, by James and Phyllis Balch
lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison." As you shall see, that is
exactly what it is.
What Is Aspartame Made Of?
Aspartic Acid (40 percent of Aspartame)
Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a professor of neurosurgery at the Medical University of
Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing the damage that is
caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from aspartame. Blaylock makes
use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino
acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid (about 99 percent of monosodium
glutamate or MSG is glutamic acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic
neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.
How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage
Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the
brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much
aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too
much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals,
which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive
aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite"
or stimulate the neural cells to death.
Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins), it
significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess
aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or
products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those
neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.
The blood brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from excess
glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins, 1) is not fully developed during childhood,
2) does not fully protect all areas of the brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic
and acute conditions, and 4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into
the brain even when intact.
The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large
majority (75 percent or more) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed
before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A few of the many
chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to
excitatory amino acid damage include:
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson's disease
ALS
Hypoglycemia
Memory loss
AIDS
Hormonal problems
Dementia
Epilepsy
Brain lesions
Alzheimer's disease
Neuroendocrine
disorders
The risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the
elderly and persons with certain chronic health
problems from excitotoxins are great. Even the
Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology (FASEB), which usually understates problems
and mimics the FDA party-line, recently stated in a
review that glutamic acid should be avoided by
women of childbearing age.
Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same
deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid
isolated from it's naturally protein-bound state,
causing it to become a neurotoxin instead of a nonessential amino acid.
Aspartame in diet sodas, or aspartame in other liquid form are absorbed more
quickly and have been shown to spike plasma levels of aspartic acid.
The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and aspartate is
currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those reactions include:
Headaches/migraines
Fatigue (blocks sufficient
glucose entry into brain)
Anxiety attacks
Nausea
Sleep problems
Depression
Abdominal pains
Vision problems
Asthma/chest tightness
One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of aspartame is memory
loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a
search for a drug to combat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage.
Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are concerned about
excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSG.
A few of the many experts who have spoken out against the damage being caused
by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental
psychologist specializing in research design. Another is Olney, a professor in the
department of psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a
neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities on
excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid caused holes in the
brains of mice.)
Phenylalanine (50 percent of aspartame)
Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic
disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to
dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). It has been
shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to
excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.
This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of
aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to
have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood. Excessive levels of
phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to decrease,
leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing
that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects
who chronically used aspartame.
Even a single use of aspartame raised the blood phenylalanine levels. In his
testimony before the U.S. Congress, Dr. Louis J. Elsas showed that high blood
phenylalanine can be concentrated in parts of the brain and is especially dangerous
for infants and fetuses. He also showed that phenylalanine is metabolized much
more efficiently by rodents than by humans.
One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame
was recently published by the Wednesday Journal in an article titled "An Aspartame
Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His
symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave
more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he
experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer
from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed
abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his
symptoms improved dramatically.
As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring phenylalanine buildup in
the brain were flawed. Investigators who measured specific brain regions and not the
average throughout the brain notice significant rises in phenylalanine levels.
Specifically the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus striatum areas of the
brain had the largest increases in phenylalanine. Blaylock goes on to point out that
excessive buildup of phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make
one more susceptible to seizures.
Therefore, long-term, excessive use of aspartame may provide a boost to sales of
serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and
seizures.
Methanol a.k.a wood alcohol/poison (10 percent of aspartame)
Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. Some people may remember methanol
as the poison that has caused some "skid row" alcoholics to end up blind or dead.
Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of
aspartame encounters the enzyme chymotrypsin.
The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free
methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to
above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing
product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g. as part of a "food" product
such as Jello).
Methanol breaks down into formaldehyde in the body.
Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that
methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it
is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde." They recommend a
limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartamesweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartamecontaining products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the
EPA limit.
Symptoms from methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness,
nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses,
numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioral disturbances, and
neuritis. The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision
problems including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of
vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage, and blindness. Formaldehyde is a
known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and
causes birth defects.
Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive
to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or
methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans. As pointed out
by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte, director of the food science and nutrition laboratory at
Arizona State University: "There are no human or mammalian studies to evaluate the
possible mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of
methyl alcohol."
He was so concerned about the unresolved safety issues that he filed suit with the
FDA requesting a hearing to address these issues. He asked the FDA to:
"...[S]low down on this soft drink issue long enough to answer some of the important
questions. It's not fair that you are leaving the full burden of proof on the few of us
who are concerned and have such limited resources. You must remember that you
are the American public's last defense. Once you allow usage (of aspartame) there is
literally nothing I or my colleagues can do to reverse the course. Aspartame will then
join saccharin, the sulfiting agents, and God knows how many other questionable
compounds enjoined to insult the human constitution with governmental approval."
Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of the FDA, Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved
the use of aspartame in carbonated beverage. He then left for a position with G.D.
Searle's public relations firm.
It has been pointed out that some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small
amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, however, that methanol never
appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts.
Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans. The troops of Desert Storm
were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages, which had
been heated to over 86 degrees F in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned
home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have
been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages
may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of
aspartame such as DKP (discussed below) may also have been a factor.
In a 1993 act that can only be described as "unconscionable," the FDA approved
aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to
above 86 degree F (30 degree C).
Diketopiperazine (DKP)
DKP is a byproduct of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the
occurrence of brain tumors. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitrosated in the gut,
produced a compound that was similar to N-nitrosourea, a powerful brain tumor
causing chemical. Some authors have said that DKP is produced after aspartame
ingestion. I am not sure if that is correct. It is definitely true that DKP is formed in
liquid aspartame-containing products during prolonged storage.
G.D. Searle conducted animal experiments on the safety of DKP. The FDA found
numerous experimental errors occurred, including "clerical errors, mixed-up animals,
animals not getting drugs they were supposed to get, pathological specimens lost
because of improper handling," and many other errors. These sloppy laboratory
procedures may explain why both the test and control animals had 16 times more
brain tumors than would be expected in experiments of this length.
In an ironic twist, shortly after these experimental errors were discovered, the FDA
used guidelines recommended by G.D. Searle to develop the industry-wide FDA
standards for good laboratory practices.
DKP has also been implicated as a cause of uterine polyps and changes in blood
cholesterol by FDA Toxicologist Dr. Jacqueline Verrett in her testimony before the
U.S. Senate.
Health Problem: Brain damage/Cognitive skills
disruption/Retardation/Neurochemical changes in the brain/Behavioral and Mood
Changes/Problems
1. Year Published: 1970
Full Reference: Brain Damage in Infant Mice Following Oral Intake of Glutamate,
Aspartate, or Cysteine; Nature 1970;227-609-610
Funded By: Washington University
Conclusion/Findings: Irreversible degenerative changes and acute neuronal
necrosis
Hyperlink to
Study http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v227/n5258/pdf/227609b0.pdf
2. Year Published: 2008
Full Reference: Direct and Indirect Cellular Effects of Aspartame on the Brain.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 451-462; P. Humphries, E. Pretorius,
and H. Naude
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Excessive aspartame ingestion might cause certain mental
disorders, as well as compromised learning and emotional functioning
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/aspartamebrain.pdf
3. Year Published: 2007
Full Reference: Life-Span Exposure to Low Doses of Aspartame Beginning During
Prenatal Life Increases Cancer Effects in Rats, Morando Soffritti, Fiorella Belpoggi,
Eva Tibaldi, Davide Degli Esposti, Michelina Lauriola; Environmental Health
Perspectives, 115(9) Sep 2007; 115:1293-1297. doi:10.1289/ehp.10271.
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Carcinogenicity proven a second time; with effects increased
when exposure to aspartame begins during fetal life.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.128
9/ehp.10271
4. Year Published: 1984
Full Reference: Effects of Aspartame and Glucose on Rat Brain Amino Acids and
Serotonin. Yokogoshi H, Roberst CH, Caballero B, Wurtman RJ. American Journal of
clinical Nutrition. 1984 July, 40(1):1-7
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: High aspartame doses can generate major neurochemical
changes in rats, especially when consumed along with carbohydrate-containing foods
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6204522
5. Year Published: 1984
Full Reference: Revelance of Animal Studies to Human Safety. Olney, JW.
Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Teratology. 1984; 6:455-462
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: Excitotoxins, as used in foods today, may produce blood
elevations high enough to cause damage to the nervous system of young children,
damage which is not detectable at the time of occurrence but which may give rise to
subtle disturbances in neuroendocrine function in adolescence and/or adulthood.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6152304
6. Year Published: 1996
Full Reference: Increasing Brain Tumor Rates: Is There a Link to Aspartame? Olney
JW, Farber NB, Spitznagel E, Robins LN. Journal of Neuropatholgy & Experimental
Neurology. 1996 Nov; 55(11):1115-23
Funded By: NIH
Conclusion/Findings: Brain tumor incidence in the US implicates the introduction of
aspartame into the American diet.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8939194
7. Year Published: 2000
Full Reference: Glutamate and Aspartate Impair Memory Retention and Damage
Hypothalamic Neurons in Adult Mice. Cheol Hyoung Park, Se Hoon Coi, et al.
Toxicology Letters, Vol. 115, Issue 2, May 19, 2000, pp. 117-125
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Found that aspartate shortens the memory response, impairs
memory retention and damages hypothalamic neurons in mice
Hyperlink to
Study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TCR408BJC14&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F19%2F2000&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_o
rigin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view
=c&_searchStrId=1456058577&
_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&m
d5=395a2fc9d4ef0ffceeea475146341607
&searchtype=a
8. Year Published: 2002
Full Reference: Effect of Aspartame on N-Methyl-D Asparate Sensitive L-(311)
Glutamate Binding Sites in Rat Brain Synpatic Membranes, AV Glushakov, DM
Dennis, et al. Molecular Psychiatry, 2002, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 359-367.
Funded By: University of Florida
Conclusion/Findings: Shows that aspartate has a role in causing mental retardation,
but the mechanism by which it does that is still unknown.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v7/n4/full/4000976a.html
9. Year Published: 2006
Full Reference: The Effect of Aspartame Metabolites on Human Erythrocyte
Membrane Acetylcholinesterase Activity. Stylianos Tsakiris, Aglaia GiannouliaKarantana, et al., Pharmacological Research, Volv. 53, Issue 1, Jan. 2006. pp. 1-5.
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Found that high concentrations of aspartame can cause
neurological symptoms, including memory and learning problems.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16129618
10. Year Published: 2008
Full Reference: Direct and Indirect Cellular Effects of Aspartame on the Brain, P
Humphries, E Pretorius and H Naude, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition , 2008,
62, 451-462
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Asserts that excessive aspartame ingestion might be involved
in the pathogenesis of certain mental disorders (DSM-IV-TR 2000) and also in
compromised learning and emotional functioning.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v62/n4/abs/1602866a.html
11. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Evaluation of Reactions to Food Additives: The Aspartame
Experience. MK Bradstock, MK Serdula, JS Marks, RJ Barnard, Nt Crane, PL
Remington and FL Trowbridge. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 43, pp.
464-469, 1986
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Identified some case reports in which the symptoms may be
attributable to aspartame in commonly-consumed amounts. Headache, mood
alterations (anxiety, agitation, irritability, or depression), insomnia, dizziness, and
fatigue were the most frequently reported symptoms, with one case of a child in a
double-blind test who became hyperactive after consuming products with aspartame.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/43/3/464 andhttp://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abs
tract/43/3/464
12. Year Published: 1990
Full Reference: Aspartame: Clinical Update, Potenza DP, el-Mallakh RS, Connecticut
Medicine, 1990 Apr;54(4):235-6.
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Raises concern that so many reports of headaches, seizures,
blindness, and cognitive and behavioral changes with long-term, high-dose aspartame
have been reported that health officials need to be concerned.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2667892
13. Year Published: 1993
Full Reference: Adverse Reactions to Aspartame: Double-Blind Challenge in Patients
from a Vulnerable Population. Ralph G. Walton, Robert Hudak, Ruth J. Green-Waite.
Psychiatry. July 1, 1993. Vol. 34, Issue 1, pp. 13-17.
Funded By: Dept. of Psychiatry Northeastern Ohio,Universities College of Medicine
and University Hospital of Cleveland
Conclusion/Findings: Found that individuals with mood disorders are particularly
sensitive to this artificial sweetener and its use in this population should be
discouraged. In the clinical study, the project was halted by the Institutional Review
Board after a total of 13 individuals had completed the study because of the severity of
reactions within the group of patients with a history of depression
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/00063223%2893%2990251-8/abstract
14. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Seizure and Mania After High Intake of Aspartame
Funded By: Jamestown General Hospital, Jamestown, New York
Conclusion/Findings: Case report of a woman who drank in excessive of 1 gallon
per day of iced tea sweetened with aspartame, resulting in manic episode and seizure
that led to hospitalization.
Hyperlink to Study: http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/pdf_extract/27/3/218
15. Year Published: 1991
Full Reference: Effect of Aspartame and Protein, Administered in PhenylalanineEquivalent Doses, on Plasma Neutral Amino Acids, Aspartate, Insulin and Glucose in
Man, Svend E. Moller; Pharmacology & Toxicology, Vol. 68, Issue 5, pp. 408-412.
Funded By: Clinical Research Laboratory, Denmark
Conclusion/Findings: The study showed that the intake of aspartame in a not
unrealistically high dose produced a marked and persistent increase of the availability
of Phe to the brain, which was not observed after protein intake. The study indicated,
furthermore, that Phe was cleared faster from the plasma after consumption of protein
compared with aspartame.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122214234/abstract
16. Year Published: 1994
Full Reference: Effects of Diets High in Sucrose or Aspartame on the Behavior and
Cognitive Performance of Children. Mark L. Wolraich, Scott D. Lingren, et al. New
England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 3, 1994; pp. 330:301-307
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Reported that it is possible that there are some children who
respond adversely to sugar or aspartame.
Hyperlink to
Study:http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199402033300501#articleResults
17. Year Published: 1985
Full Reference: Loss of Intellectual Function in Children with Phenylketonuria After
Relaxation of Dietary Phenylalanine Restriction, Margretta R. Seashore, Estelle
Friedman, Robert A. Novelly P, Vijaya Bapat MD. Pediatrics vol. 75, No. 2, Feb. 1985,
pp. 226-232
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Shows decrease in intellectual function in children with PKU
who have phenylalnine introduced into their diets.
Hyperlink to Study: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/75/2/226
18. Year Published: 1987
Full Reference: Aspartame Effects on Brain Serotonin, RI Wurtman, Letter in
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1987 April; 45(4):799-803
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: Argues that using rodents to disprove aspartame’s harm to
humans is not relevant, and that it reacts more negatively in humans than in mice
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/45/4/799.pdf
19. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Acute Effects of Oral or Parenteral Aspartame on Catecholamine
Metabolism in Various Regions of Rat Brain, Hidehiko Yokogoshi and Richard J.
Wurtman, The Journal of Nutrition, November 1986
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: Found higher plasma tyrosine and phenylalanine ratios and
other effects on the brain.
Hyperlink to Study: http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/116/3/356
20. Year Published: 1992
Full Reference: Aspartame Exacerbates EEG Spike Wave Discharge in Children with
Generalized Absence Epilepsy, PR Camfield, CS Camfield, JM Dooley, et al;
Funded By: Ontario Ministry of Health
Conclusion/Findings: Neurology 1992:42:1000
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/42/5/1000
21. Year Published: 1993
Full Reference: The Effect of Food Chemicals on Cell Aging of Human Diploid Cells
in Vitro Culture, Kasamaki A and Urasawa S, The Journal of Toxicological Sciences,
1993 Aug; 18(3):143-53
Funded By: Toxicological Sciences, 1993 Aug; 18(3):143-53. Sapporo
Conclusion/Findings: Showed aging of cells when treated with aspartame.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8246307
22. Year Published: 1994
Full Reference: Neuropharmacological Evaltuation of Movement Disorders that are
Adverse Reactions to Specific Foods Including Aspartame, John W. Gerrard, J Steven
Richardson and Jeffrey Donat; International Journal of Neuroscience, 1994, Vol. 76,
No. 1-2, pp. 61-69
Funded By: University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Conclusion/Findings: Shows that in susceptible individuals, certain foods or
additives, including aspartame, can trigger movement disorders through an action on
dopamine and other neurotransmitter pathways in the brain.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/00207459408985992
23. Year Published: 1995
Full Reference: Effects of Aspartame on 45 CA Influx and LDH Leakage from Nerve
Cells in Culture, Sonnewald U, Unsgard G, Petersen SB; Neuropharmacology and
Neurotoxicology, 1995, Vol. 6, Issue 2
Funded By: Research Council of Norway
Conclusion/Findings: Showed signs of severe cell damage and other neurological
events with aspartame.
Hyperlink to
Study:http://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/Abstract/1995/01000/Effects_of_aspartame
_on_45Ca_influx_and_LDH.23.aspx
24. Year Published: 1996
Full Reference: Increasing Brain Tumor Rates: Is There A Link to Aspartame? JW
Olney, Nuri B Farber, et al.; Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology,
Nov. 1996, Vol. 55, Issue 11
Funded By: NIH
Conclusion/Findings: Evidence implicates aspartame as a causative agent of high
incidence of brain tumors in aspartame-fed rats.
Hyperlink to
Study:http://journals.lww.com/jneuropath/Abstract/1996/11000/Increasing_Brain_Tum
or_Rates__Is_There_a_Link_to.2.aspx
25. Year Published: 1998
Full Reference: Formaldehyde Derived from Dietary Aspartame Binds to Tissues
Components in Vivo, C. Trocho, R. Pardo, I. Rafecas, et al
Funded By: University of Barcelona, Spain
Conclusion/Findings: Showed that aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard
because of its contribution to the formation of formaldehyde adducts.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.wnho.net/formaldehyde_from_aspartame.pdf
Health Problem: Headache/Migraines
26. Year Published: 1985
Full Reference: Aspartame: Possible Effect on Seizure Susceptibility. Wurtman, RJ.
Lancet. Vol. 2, no. 8463, 1060 p. 1985
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: Woman who drank large amounts of Diet Coke and other
aspartame-flavored beverages experienced headaches, nausea, visual hallucinations,
and a grand-mal seizure.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&re
cid=1354938&q=Aspartame%3A+Possible+Effects+on+Seizure+Suspectibility&
uid=789675711&setcookie=yes
27. Year Published: 1987
Full Reference: The Effect of Aspartame on Migraine Headache. Shirley M. Koehler,
Alan Glaros. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. Vol 28, Issue 1, Nov. 12,
1987
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Ingestion of aspartame by migraine sufferers causes
significant increases in headache frequency
Hyperlink to Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119449495/abstract
28. Year Published: 1998
Full Reference: Aspartame as a Dietary Trigger of Headache. Richard B. Lipton, MD,
Lawrence C. Newman, MD, Joel S. Cohen, MD, Seymour Solomon, MD. The Journal
of Head and Face Pain. Vol. 29, Issue 2, pp. 90-92. Sept. 1998
Funded By
Conclusion/Findings: Finds that aspartame may be an important dietary trigger of
headache in some people.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119429393/abstract
29. Year Published: 1991
Full Reference: Platelet Glycine, Glutamate and Aspartate in Primary Headache,
D'Andrea, G., et al., 1991. Cephalalgia, Vol. 11, pp. 197-200.
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: High levels of these amino acids were found in patients with
migraine with aura compared to normal subjects and other headache groups
Hyperlink to Study: http://cep.sagepub.com/content/11/4/197.abstract
30. Year Published: 1997
Full Reference: Chewing Gum Headaches, Blumenthal, H.J., D.A. Vance, Headache,
Volume 37, Number 10, pages 665-666. 1997
Funded By: Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine,
Tulsa
Conclusion/Findings: Chewing gum with aspartame provokes headaches
Hyperlink to Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119166706/abstract
31. Year Published: 2003
Full Reference: The Diet Factor in Pediatric and Adolescent Migraine, Millichap JG,
Yee MM. Pediatric Neurology, 2003 Jan;28(1):9-15
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Aspartame is one of the substances that trigger migraines in
children and adolescents
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.drcordas.com/education/Headaches/1doc.pdf
32. Year Published: 1994
Full Reference: Aspartame Ingestion and Headaches: a Randomized Crossover
Trial. S. K. Van Den Eeden, PhD, T. D. Koepsell, MD, MPH, W. T. Longstreth, Jr., MD,
MPH, G. van Belle, PhD, J. R. Daling, PhD and B. McKnight, PhD, American Academy
of Neurology, Neurology. 1994;44:1787
Funded By: University of Washington
Conclusion/Findings: This experiment provides evidence that, among individuals
with self-reported headaches after ingestion of aspartame, a subset of this group
report more headaches when tested under controlled conditions. It appears that some
people are particularly susceptible to headaches caused by aspartame and may want
to limit their consumption.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/44/10/1787?ijkey=4b59bcfcba6c
01af70844762469ca00f7f358c5f&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha
33. Year Published: 1990
Full Reference: The Concept of Migraine as a State of Central Neuronal
Hyperexcitability, KMA Welch, et all, 1990. Headache, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp 817-828.
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Finds that aspartate can cause migraine with aura associated
with a state of central neuronal hyperexcitability
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1979655
34. Year Published: 2001
Full Reference: Migraine MLT-Down: An Unusual Presentation of Migraine in Patients
with Aspartame-Triggered Headaches. Lawrence C. Newman, Richard B. Lipton,
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, Vol. 41, Issue 9, pp. 899-901
Funded By: The Headache Institute, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York
Conclusion/Findings: Reports that aspartame may trigger headaches in susceptible
individuals, and can worsen an ongoing attack of migraine.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120697481/abstract
35. Year Published: 1988
Full Reference: Aspartame as a Dietary Trigger of Headache, Richard B. Lipton,
Lawrence C. Newman, Joel S. Cohen, Seymour Solomon, Headache: The Journal of
Head and Face Pain, Vol. 29, Issue 2, pp. 90-92
Funded By: Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx,
NY
Conclusion/Findings: Reports that some patients with migraines reported aspartame
as a trigger three times more often than those with other types of headache.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119429393/abstract
Health Problem: Increase in hunger, body weight, BMI
36. Year Published: 1991
Full Reference: Chen, L. N., and Parham, E. S. “College Students’Use of HighIntensity Sweeteners Is Not Consistently Associated with Sugar Consumption.” J Am
Diet Assoc. 91(1991): 686–90
Funded By: Department of Human and Family Resources at Northern Illinois
University
Conclusion/Findings: In a study of high-intensity artificial sweeteners performed on
college students, there was no evidence that artificial sweetener use was associated
with a decrease in their overall sugar intake. These results indicate that eating artificial
sweeteners simply perpetuates a craving for sweets, and overall sugar consumption is
not reduced—leading to further problems controlling your weight
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2040783
37. Year Published: 2005
Full Reference: “New Analysis Suggests ‘Diet Soda Paradox’ – Less Sugar, More
Weight.” UT Health Center San Antonio Press Release. June 14, 2005 · Volume:
XXXVIII · Issue: 24
Funded By: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Conclusion/Findings: In 2005, data gathered from the 25-year long San Antonio
Heart Study also showed that drinking diet soft drinks increased the likelihood of
serious weight gain – far more so than regular soda.
According to Sharon Fowler, M.P.H:
“On average, for each diet soft drink our participants drank per day, they were 65
percent more likely to become overweight during the next seven to eight years, and
41 percent more likely to become obese.”
Hyperlink to
Study: http://www.uthscsa.edu/hscnews/singleformat2.asp?newID=1539
38. Year Published: 2004
Full Reference: “A Pavlovian Approach to the Problem of Obesity,” Davidson, TL and
Swithers Se, International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders 2004
Jul;28(7):933-5.
Funded By: Department of Psychological Science, Ingestive Behavior Research
Center, Purdue University
Conclusion/Findings: Found that rats fed artificially sweetened liquids ate more highcalorie food than rats fed high-caloric sweetened liquids. The researchers believe the
experience of drinking artificially sweetened liquids disrupted the animals' natural
ability to compensate for the calories in the food.
Hyperlink to Study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=933[page]+AND+2004/07[pdat]+AND+Dav
idson[author]&cmd=detailssearch
39. Year Published: 1988
Full Reference: Uncoupling Sweet Taste and Calories, Comparison of Glucose and
Three Intense Sweeteners on Hunger and Food Intake. Peter J. Rogers, Jo-ASnne
Carlyle, Andrew J. Hill and John E. Blundell. Physiology & Behavior. Vol. 43; Issue 5,
1988. pp. 547-552
Funded By: Biopsychology Group, Psychology Dept., University of Leeds, Leeds UK
Conclusion/Findings: Intense sweeteners can produce significant changes in
appetite, with aspartame causing the most pronounced effects.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3200909
40. Year Published: 1990
Full Reference: Oral Stimulation with Aspartame Increases Hunger, Michael G.
Tordoff and Annette M. Alleva, Physiology & Behavior, Vol. 47, Issue 3, March 1990;
pp. 555-559.
Funded By: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia
Conclusion/Findings: Showed that aspartame can increase the feeling of hunger
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2359769
41. Year Published: 2010
Full Reference: Gain Weight by “Going Diet?” Artificial Sweeteners and the
Neurobiology of Sugar Cravings. Qing Yang, Yale Journal of Biological Medicine,
2010 June; 83(2): 101-108. Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental
Biology
Funded By: Yale University
Conclusion/Findings: Several large scale prospective cohort studies found positive
correlation between artificial sweetener use and weight gain. When matched for initial
body mass index (BMI), gender, ethnicity, and diet, drinkers of artificially sweetened
beverages consistently had higher BMIs. Similar observations have been reported in
children. Artificial sweeteners, precisely because they are sweet, encourage sugar
craving and sugar dependence.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892765/?tool=pubmed
Other Health Problems: Multiple symptoms including retinal damage, disruption of
odor-associated learning, miscellaneous toxicity problems, elevations in plasma, preterm delivery, rise in serum methanol
42. Year Published: 1985
Full Reference: A Metabolite of Aspartame Inhibits Angiotensin Converting Enzyme.
Grobelny D, Galardy RE. Biochemical & BioPhysical Research Communications.
1985: 128(2):960-964.
Funded By: University of Kentucky
Conclusion/Findings: Possibility exists that consuming large amounts of aspartame
inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2986632
43. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Serum Methanol Concentrations in Rats and in Men after a Single
Dose of Aspartame," Davoli, E., et al., 1986. Food and Chemical Toxicology, Vol. 24,
No. 3, pp. 187-189
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Both treatments caused a temporary rise in serum methanol.
Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol commonly found in automobile windshield washer
solvent, gas line antifreeze, copy machine fluid, fuel for small stoves, paint strippers,
and as an industrial solvent.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3957170
44. Year Published: 1977
Full Reference: Effect of a Dipeptide, Aspartame, on Lactic Acid Production in Human
Whole Saliva. Y. Mishiro and H. Kaneko. Journal of Dental Research, 1977
56(11):1427
Funded By: Nippon Dental University, Japan
Conclusion/Findings: Aspartame affects levels of saliva lactation and pH levels.
Hyperlink to Study: http://jdr.sagepub.com/content/56/11/1427.full.pdf
45. Year Published: 2010
Full Reference: Intake of Artificially Sweetened Soft Drinks and Risk of Preterm
Delivery: a Prospective Cohort Study of 59,334 Danish Pregnant Women. Halldorsson
TI, Strom M, Petersen SB, Olsen SF, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 30,
2010
Funded By: Center for Fetal Programming, Division of Epidemiology, Statens serum
Institute, Denmark
Conclusion/Findings: There was an association between intake of artificially
sweetened carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks and an increased risk of
preterm delivery.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20592133
46. Year Published: 1987
Full Reference: Effects of Oral Aspartame on Plasma Phenylalanine in Humans and
Experimental Rodents, RJ Wurtman and TJ Maher. Journal of Neural Transmission,
Vol. 70, Nos. 1-2, March 1987, pp. 169-173
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: Aspartame causes greater elevations in plasma phenylalanine
than plasma tyrosine in humans.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.springerlink.com/content/l148w94568vt33hw/
47. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Acute Effects of Aspartame on Systolic Blood Pressure in
Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. P.J. Kiritsy and T.J. Maher. Journal of Neural
Transmission, Vol 66, No. 2, June 1986, pp 121-128
Funded By: Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Dept. of Pharmacology, Massachusetts
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Science, Boston
Conclusion/Findings: Aspartame elevates blood and brain tyrosine levels, and cause
neurochemical changes that lead to tyrosine-induced drop in blood pressure.
Hyperlink to
Study: http://www.springerlink.com/content/p33231m752721l5x/?p=41116b2cb52840
04987aaa24f8a945c9&pi=37
48. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Aspartame-Induced Uricaria. Anthony Kulczycki Jr., M.D. Annals of
Internal Medicine. Feb. 1, 1986. Volv 104. No 2. pp. 207-208
Funded By: Grant support NIH.
Conclusion/Findings: Aspartame-induced urticaria confirmed by double-blind
challenge.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.annals.org/content/104/2/207.extract
49. Year Published: 1989
Full Reference: Behavioral Assessment of the Toxicity of Aspartame, Mark D. Holder,
Pharmacology Biochemistry & Behavior, Vol. 32, pp. 17-26
Funded By: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Conclusion/Findings: Found that aspartame may have adverse effects when
intrapeitoneally injected.
Hyperlink to Study: http://pluto.huji.ac.il/~msrazy/PDF/HolderPBB89.pdf
50. Year Published: 1989
Full Reference: Impaired Performance on Odor-Aversion Testing Following Prenatal
Aspartame Exposure in the Guinea Pig, Diana L. Dow-Edwards, Louise A. Scribani
and Edward P. Riley, Neuurotoxicity and Teratology, Vol. 11, Issue 4, July-August
1989, pp. 413-416
Funded By: Dept. of Neurosurgery State University, New York
Conclusion/Findings: These data indicate that aspartame exposure at 500 mg/kg
throughout gestation disrupts odor-associative learning in 15-day-old guinea pigs.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2796897
51. Year Published: 2006
Full Reference: Aspartame Products as a Potential Danger to Infants, Children &
Future Generations, Dr. HJ Roberts, director, Palm Beach Institute for Medical
Research
Funded By: No funding
Conclusion/Findings: Aspartame causes a variety of disease in children including
headaches, convulsions, unexplained visual loss, rashes, asthma, gastrointestinal
problems, obesity, marked weight loss, hypoglycemia, diabetes, addiction (probably
largely due to the methyl alcohol), hyperthyroidism, and a host of neuropsychiatric
features. The latter include extreme fatigue, irritability, hyperactivity, depression,
antisocial behavior (including suicide), poor school performance, the deterioration of
intelligence, and brain tumors.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.rense.com/general70/duut.htm
52. Year Published: 1986
Full Reference: Plasma Amino Acid Levels After Single Dose Aspartame
Consumption in Phenylketonuria Mild II Hyperphenylalaninemia and Heterozygous
State for Phenylkeonuria.The Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 109, No. 4, pp. 668-671,
October 1986.Benjamin Caballero, Barbara E. Mahon, Frances J. Rohr, Harvey L.
Levy, and Richard J. Wurtman. M.D
Funded By: MIT
Conclusion/Findings: Plasma phenylalanine concentrations may increase to
unacceptable levels when patients with PKU on phenylalanine-restricted diets
consume aspartame-containing soft drinks or after loading doses of the sweetener
Hyperlink to Study: http://wurtmanlab.mit.edu/static/pdf/673.pdf
53. Year Published: 1985
Full Reference: Aspartame-Induced Granulomatous Panniculitis. Nelson Lee Novick,
MD. Annals of Internal Medicine., Vol 102, No. 2, pp. 206-207
Funded By: Mt. Sinai Medical Center; New York
Conclusion/Findings: This report describes the first confirmed case of aspartameinduced granulomatous panniculitis
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.annals.org/content/102/2/206.short
54. Year Published: 1984
Full Reference: Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Health. Woodrow C.Monte.
Journal Applied Nutrition 36(1):42-54
Funded By
Conclusion/Findings: Consumption of aspartame sweetened drinks at levels
commonly used to replace lost fluid during exercise yields methanol intake between 15
and 100 times normal intakes.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.dorway.com/wmonte.txt
55. Year Published: 1989
Full Reference: Excitoxins: A Possible New Mechanism for the Pathogenesis of
Ischemic Retinal Damage, George H. Bresnick, Archives of Opthalmology, 1989;
107(3):339-341
Funded By: NIH
Conclusion/Findings: Reports that aspartame is a possible mechanism to cause
retinal damage.
Hyperlink to Study: http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/summary/107/3/339
56. Year published: 1987
Full reference: Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Normal Adults Administered
Aspartame in Capsules or Solution: Lack of Bioequivalence, Lewis D. Stegin, L.J. Filer
Jr, E.F. Bell, and E.E. Ziegler, Metabolism Volume 36, Issue 5 May 1987, Pages 507512
Funded by: Supported in part by a grant-in-aid from G.D. Searle
Conclusion/Findings: The data indicate different plasma phenylalanine and
aspartate pharmacokinetics between aspartame in solution and capsule administration
of aspartame. Peak plasma phenylalanine levels were significantly higher and were
reached significantly earlier when aspartame was administered in solution than when it
was administered in capsules. Administration in solution also produced a significantly
higher ratio of plasma phenylalanine concentration to the sum of the plasma
concentrations of the other large neutral amino acids. Similarly, peak plasma aspartate
concentrations were significantly higher and were reached significantly earlier when
aspartame was administered in solution.
Hyperlink to study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p
54. Year published: 1984
Full reference: Evaluation of Consumer Complaints Related to Aspartame Use, MK
Bradstock, MK Serdula, JS Marks, RJ Barnard, NT Crane, PL Remington and FL
Trowbridge, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 1984, Vol 43, 464-469
Funded by: Division of Nutrition, Center for Health Promotion and Education, Centers
for Disease Control
Conclusion/Findings: In some case reports, the symptoms may be attributable to
aspartame in commonly-consumed amounts
Hyperlink to study: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/3/464
Health Problem: Seizures/Convulsions
58. Year Published: 1987
Full Reference: Possible Neurologic Effects of Aspartame, a Widely Used Food
Additive; Timothy J. Maher and Richard J. Wurtman. Environmental Health
Perspectives, Vol. 75, pp 53-57, 1987
Funded By: MIT and Federal Government
Conclusion/Findings: Shows that aspartame can induce seizures
Hyperlink to
Study:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/pdf/envhper004340053.pdf
59. Year Published: 1991
Full Reference: Interspecies and Interstrain Studies on the Increased Susceptibility to
Metrazol-Induced Convulsions in Animals given Aspartame, L. Diomede, M. Romano,
et al, Milan, Italy, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Vol. 29, Issue 2, 1991; pp. 101-106
Funded By: Istituto di Richerche, Milan, Italy
Conclusion/Findings: Showed that they are more susceptible to convulsions when
given higher doses of aspartame
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2010138
Letters and Other Commentary from Health Sources
60. Year Published: 1995
Full Reference: Emerging Facts about Aspartame. Dr. J. Barua, Dr. A Bal. Journal of
the Diabetic Association of India. 1995; Vol. 35, No. 4
Funded By: No funding
Conclusion/Findings: Cites numerous studies showing dangers of aspartame
Hyperlink to Study: http://basichealthinfo.weebly.com/uploads/4/2/5/9/425984/articleon-aspartame.pdf
61. Year Published: 2004
Full Reference: Aspartame: An FDA-Approved Epidemic, HJ Roberts, Palm Beach
Institute for Medical Research.
Funded By: No funding
Conclusion/Findings: Cites thousands of consumer complaints to the FDA that
include serious adverse events, that the FDA and CDC refused to acknowledge as
substantive.
62. Year Published: 1991
Full Reference: Recurrent Vulvovaginitis Resulting from Heavy Dietary Use of
Aspartame, Strathman I, The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 1991 Aug;36(8):572
Funded By: No funding
Conclusion/Findings: (This is a letter; title implies that vulvovaginitis was triggered by
heavy use of aspartame)
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1941798
63. Year Published: 1985
Full Reference: Interaction of Aspartame and Carbohydrates in an Eating Disordered
Patient. Ferguson A Jr. A Letter in the American Journal of Psychiatry. 1985, Feb.
142(2):271
Funded By: Not applicable
Conclusion/Findings: Reports a clinical case where aspartame combined with
carbohydrates causes headaches and other symptoms typical of elevated CNS level
of tyrosine.
Hyperlink to Study: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=162185
64. Year Published: 1995
Full Reference: A Health Alert: Emerging Facts About Aspartame, Dr. J Barua, Dr. A
Bal, The Journal of the Diabetic Association of India, 1995: Vol. 35, No. 4
Funded By: No funding
Conclusion/Findings: This article summarizes a number of other people’s studies on
aspartame.
Hyperlink to Study: http://smfi.is/media/misc/article-on-aspartame.pdf
65. Year Published: 1996
Full Reference: Aspartame as a Cause of Allgeric Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis,
Archives of Internal Medicine, 1996; 156(9):1027
Funded By: Not known
Conclusion/Findings: Letter arguing that aspartame should have been included as a
causative agent of allergic reactions. Cites FDA 7,300-person database of complaints.
Hyperlink to Study: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/summary/156/9/1027-a
66. Year Published: Updated April 23, 2008
Full Reference: Is Aspartame Safe? From an FDA Q&A about aspartame
Funded By: Not applicable
Conclusion/Findings: While denying that aspartame is an allergen, the FDA says:
However, certain people with the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU), those with
advanced liver disease, and pregnant women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of
phenylalanine in blood) have a problem with aspartame because they do not
effectively metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, one of aspartame's components.
High levels of this amino acid in body fluids can cause brain damage. Therefore, FDA
has ruled that all products containing aspartame must include a warning to
phenylketonurics that the sweetener contains phenylalanine.
Hyperlink to Study: http://answers.hhs.gov/questions/3011
67. Year published:
Full reference: Scientific Abuse in Methanol/Formaldehyde Research Related to
Aspartame
Funded by: no funding
Conclusion/Findings: Exposes studies “proving” safety of aspartame as deceptive,
erroneous, and based on industry research using outdated plasma methanol
measuring tests. No date of publication.
Hyperlink to
Study:http://thetruthaboutstuff.com/pdf/%2847%29%20Scientific%20Abuse%20in%20
Methanol.pdf
Health Problem: Cancer
68. Year published: 2010
Full reference:Aspartame administered in feed, beginning prenatally through life
span, induces cancers of the liver and lung in male Swiss mice. American Journal of
Industrial Medicine December 2010; 53(12): 1197-1206
Conclusion/Findings:The results of the present study confirm that [aspartame] is a
carcinogenic agent in multiple sites in rodents, and that this effect is induced in two
species, rats (males and females) and mice (males). Autopsies revealed a significantly
increased risk of liver and lung cancer.
Hyperlink to Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20886530
Story at-a-glance−
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Soda consumption is now in “freefall,” having dropped to its lowest point since 1995, with diet sodas
taking the greatest hit. Sales of carbonated beverages in general fell three percent in 2013
Diet Coke and diet Pepsi both dropped by nearly seven percent in 2013. Sales of Diet Mountain Dew
also fell more sharply than regular Mountain Dew
One of the largest studies of its kind found that drinking just two diet drinks a day can increase your risk
of an early death from heart disease by 50 percent
Previous research looking at aspartame toxicity also found a clear association between aspartame
consumption and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and leukemia
Despite being promoted for weight loss, foods and beverages with artificial sweeteners have never been
proven to help weight loss. Studies that look at this actually find artificial sweeteners promote weight
gain