Aspartame Side Effects
With weight conscious and health minded individuals looking for an alternative to common table sugar, aspartame has quickly arrived front and center as a worthy candidate. Its unique ability to pull double duty in cooking and in drinks, has garnered itself a good amount of followers. However, there are still many out there that feel it is just too good to be true and claim that there are aspartame side effects that consumers need to be aware of.
What Aspartame Side Effects Are Known?
One of the major complaints that are made as an aspartame side effect is headaches. There are many that claim that their migraines and headaches are a direct result of ingesting aspartame. In a study done at Duke University Medical Center, there was no major difference found between the placebo group and the aspartame group. A higher incidence rate of headaches was not found among the aspartame group, leaving many to feel that the connection between headaches and aspartame was not strong enough.
While this is still a widely reported aspartame side effect reported from individuals, there is still little evidence currently to point it out as one of the major aspartame side effects. Regardless of study findings, if you are a migraine headache sufferer or are more susceptible to headaches, then it is better to be safe than sorry. So, be cautious when using aspartame in your foods and drinks.
Another cause for major concern when it comes to artificial sweeteners has been cancer. There are many who feel that using aspartame can cause cancer. While this is a concern on the minds of many, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States reported that there is no direct link between cancer and aspartame. A study done of half a million people showed that there was no increased risk of getting cancer from using aspartame in their drinks. If this has been one of your major concerns as an aspartame side effect, then the findings of the NCI should help you to make an informed decision.
A common concern that many have is whether or not you are able to use aspartame if you are diabetic. While this could be cause for major worry as a side effect, it is one that diabetics need not worry about. According to WebMD.com, aspartame has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Diabetes Association. These two agencies recommend aspartame as a low-calorie sweetener to be used in diabetic nutrition.
What Alternatives Can Be Used?
These are just a few of the side effects that consumers have reported as a result of using aspartame. There are still many others that are not as commonly reported, but have been reported nonetheless. If you are looking for an artificial sweetener, then there are many you can choose from besides aspartame. There is Saccharin or more commonly known as Sweet and Low, Sucralose which is also better known as Splenda, or Stevia which is a natural sweetener. These sweeteners are an alternative to using aspartame, but you should also inform yourself about these and their possible side effects before consume.
While there have been a variety of complaints of side effects of their use, you will have to use it for yourself to see how your body reacts to it. In doing so, use caution and note any differences you notice in your body from using aspartame as you may find your own set of aspartame side effects. Some that have already been reported have been as we mentioned headaches, as well as dizziness, nausea, pain in the abdomen, mood swings and diarrhea to name a few. While these are unconfirmed side effects from aspartame, it is best to note any changes in your body from using an artificial sweetener. If you do in fact notice any odd side effects in your health from using such products, discontinue use and seek out professional medical advice. You cannot be overcautious when it comes to your health and wellness.
Don’t take aspartame side effects lightly. If you are already using it and have noticed a negative change in your health, then be sure to get professional help as soon as possible. Do your homework and find the best artificial sweetener on the market to use in your food and drinks.
If you like information about the alternative stevia, visit our main page about Stevia Side Effects