Apology to Aspartame

The Calorie Control Council are an international association representing the industry that makes and uses aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. After my recent column ”Sweeteners that leave a sour taste“ (The Argus, 26th September), the ”Council“ have complained that I provide a disservice to consumers and accuse me of irresponsible journalism.

I herewith offer them a grovelling, humble apology. I didn’t mean to be entirely disrespectful about the remarkable product they represent and think the artificial sweetener aspartame is the best thing since sliced bread (preferably white, refined, hydrogenated and genetically modified).

The ”Council“ maintain the safety of aspartame is not questionable after decades of research and hundreds of studies. Well, at least according to those funded by the aspartame industry. Many independent studies do claim a link between high intake of aspartame and neurological disorders. What happens when scientists disagree? Then media manipulation, brilliant marketing and inspired PR become all important.

The simple fact is that artificial sweeteners con the body into thinking that sugar is on the way and prime the body to expect food. The result is a craving for high-calorie sugary snacks, which is not an ideal basis for consistent, sustained weight loss. They don’t retrain the taste buds either, so people are unlikely to make healthier food choices. They can go on eating as before, with a few extra chemicals thrown in.

The amino acids contained in aspartame (aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol) are developed in the lab. All are involved in complex biochemical interactions with hormones and brain chemicals. Although the three amino acids also occur naturally in food, they are bound to other substances which counterbalance their effects. High intakes of aspartame have been linked to brain tumours in rats and seizures in monkeys.

The ”Council“ claim that aspartame never enters the bloodstream and cannot travel to essential organs including the brain. However, there is growing concern that the barriers protecting the bloodstream and the brain are no longer as impenetrable as they should be due to a variety of environmental insults, for instance from certain drugs and pesticides. It is therefore possible that some individuals are more at risk from ingesting artificial sweeteners and their breakdown products.

Manufacturers and regulatory authorities worldwide accept and recommend aspartame. In the UK, even our 3 year-olds are fans. The ”Council“ should be pleased to hear that Diet Coke is a popular choice at children’s birthday parties. The Food Commission has also recently found that companies are increasing sweeteners in top-selling children’s drinks because they are much cheaper than ordinary sugar. There is a growing trend to use sweeteners in canned drinks, milky bed-time beverages, yoghurts and jellies, chewing gum, toothpaste, multivitamins and medicines. Whatever next? How about artificially sweetened apples - never mind the side-effects - at least we won’t have to worry about tooth decay.

I take it ”the Council“ are themselves avid consumers of the sickly nectar. I make no apologies for refusing to feed it to my little monkeys at home.

Martina is a qualified nutritionist practising at The Dolphin House Clinic,  Brighton (Tel: 01273-324790). email: martina@thehealthbank.co.uk

For further background information and references on this topic, please visit www.sweetpoison.com. You may also be interested in reading : 

Article first published November 2002, Brighton Argus.

Copyright 2005 Martina Watts              All Rights Reserved              www.martinawatts.com