Although undoubtedly well intentioned, any attempt to replace sugared beverages with aspartame-containing diet products will, in my opinion, have a devastating impact on the health of our children and adolescents. The alarming increase in obesity, type 2 diabetes and a wide variety of behavioural difficulties in our children is obviously
attributable to multiple factors, but I am convinced that one powerful force accentuating these problems is the ever increasing use of aspartame.

Aspartame is a multipotential toxin and carcinogen. The dipeptide component of the molecule can alter brain chemistry, significantly change the ratio of catecholamines to indolamines, with resultant lowering of seizure threshold, production of carbohydrate craving and, in vulnerable individuals, lead to panic, depressive and cognitive symptoms.

The methylester component of aspartame is metabolised to methanol, which, in turn, is broken down into formic acid and formaldehyde. Methanol can lead to serious eye problems, formic acid and formaldehyde are potent carcinogens.

The diet food industry and the FDA (US Federal Department of Agriculture) are fond of saying that aspartame is ‘the most studied product in history’ with an outstanding safety record.

In fact, however, virtually all of the studies in medical literature attesting to its safety were funded by industry, whereas independently funded studies, now numbering close to 100, identify one or more problems.
It would be especially tragic if an attempt to improve the health of our children led to even greater exposure to this highly toxic product.

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