Aspartame / Sucralose - Good or bad?

[tvp2003]

Just curious if anyone had any thoughts on this -- there is a lot of stuff floating around on the internet about how it's bad for you, can cause cancer, etc... but considering how common it is (i.e. in diet soda and other "low calorie" drinks like Crystal Light, etc.) I'm wondering if people have stopped consuming it...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame_controversy

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucralose

[worth]

I don't consume any pop whether it's diet or otherwise, but yes, I stay away from the artificial sweeteners purposely.

The new one on the market now is called splenda, but it is the same concept as aspartame.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by worth

I don't consume any pop whether it's diet or otherwise, but yes, I stay away from the artificial sweeteners purposely.

The new one on the market now is called splenda, but it is the same concept as aspartame.

Splenda = sucralose

[CaptainCrunch]

I like the fat substitute for chips that makes you squirt poo.

[Burninator]

I don't think there is much credible evidence that is harmful. Probably just over blown Internet hype.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/librar...erms=aspartame
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1999/699_sugar.html
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I like the fat substitute for chips that makes you squirt poo.

lol, Olestra

This Product Contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added.

[redforever]

Aspartame is awful stuff. And it has a shelf life too, 3, maybe 6 months? If you buy a canned pop beverage that contains aspartame and it tastes off, it is probably because the aspartame is past its prime.

I rarely consume soda drinks, never diet ones, and never buy the drinks you make from crystals or powder either.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I like the fat substitute for chips that makes you squirt poo.

Obviously you have never tried it, because it doesn't. Not unless you eat too much.

Back to the topic at hand, I'm close to having type 2 diabetes, and my doctor has told me to avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs. Just because the artificial stuff confuses the body, and then has a harder time dealing with real sugar.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Obviously you have never tried it, because it doesn't. Not unless you eat too much.

Olestra was never allowed in Canada, Health Canada rejected it.

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Back to the topic at hand, I'm close to having type 2 diabetes, and my doctor has told me to avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs. Just because the artificial stuff confuses the body, and then has a harder time dealing with real sugar.

Interesting.

I always avoid it. I figure that if its artificial, its probably not good for your body.

[Swarly]

i avoid it because it tastes awful

[Claeren]

Aspartame triggers migraines for me close to 100% of the time.

I even had to stop chewing gum because ALL gum these days seems to have aspartame and if i chewed a peice on anything but a full stomach I would get a migraine. (I use tic tacs instead)

I know research they have done says it is unlikely but I have noticed a pretty substantial link. And not only does it trigger them, but it makes them worse as well. (So now that I avoid all aspartame I have about 50% less migraines and those that i have are about 30% less severe)..


Not very often in life you get a free ride and I am not sure that these man-made sweetners are all upside with no downside.



Claeren.

[Table 5]

anyone else in the US see those commercials by the corn lobby touting the virtues of High Fructose? They are laughably stupid.

watch it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE5aSUcU3YA

their site full of "facts".
www.sweetsurprise.com

[Ayrahb]

I cannot stand aspartame, but surprisingly I am OK with sucralose. If I am hungry and tempted to buy a junk snack, I get one of those Atkins bars (with sucralose) and I can't say it bothers me at all.

[arsenal]

these days, what doesn't cause cancer?

But no, I haven't stopped consuming aspartame. I drink diet pop more than any other pop, since I find regular pop far to sweet.

But then I smoke, go out in the sun with out lotion, eat meat, speed, etc.

[fredr123]

Not a big fan of the taste of aspartame. I prefer sucralose.

I used to consume a lot of pop. I also used to be a bit fatter. Part of losing some of the weight (aside from more exercise and eating better generally) was cutting out the calories from regular pop and switching to Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

Long term effects of this stuff on me aren't known. If I get cancer or die prematurely, I'll report the results here.

[Ozy_Flame]

God, I love aspartame....Fresca is my new favorite soda, and diet coke comes next. I used to drink the normal sodas but I've since moved onto this, and now I don't feel so guilty because it has less sugar.

MMMMMMM Fresca, I think I need one now to get me through the day...

[photon]

I like sucralose based diet pops and crystal light packets, i know water is better for me but I've managed to completely kick drinks with calories but having a Pepsi Max or Diet A&W still keeps me off the bad stuff.

In fact I can't stand the taste of regular pop now!

[Prototype]

I was thinking about this earlier today. If it's so bad for you, would it be on the shelves? I doubt the Aspertame Lobbiest pay off the government to allow them to stay on the shelves (ala Smokes).

I'm not as picky when it comes to pop. I'll drink whatever, but lately it's been Coke Zero or Diet Pepsi...

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Prototype

I was thinking about this earlier today. If it's so bad for you, would it be on the shelves? I doubt the Aspertame Lobbiest pay off the government to allow them to stay on the shelves (ala Smokes).

You put way too must faith in your government to look out for you, and way to little faith in a lobbyists ability to sink as low as necessary.