As health-conscious individuals, we are all constantly looking for the best food substitutions to keep calorie counts down and maintain a healthy diet. Out of that desire, a significant problem has arisen around the use of sweetener substitutes, in particular aspartame. Created as a “safe” alternative to regular sugar, continued research has shown that aspartame is more harmful than helpful.
Scientifically speaking, aspartame is the name given to the artificial, non-saccharide sweetener, aspartyl phenylalanine-1-methyl ester. As such, it is a methyl ester of the dipeptide of the two amino acids, phenylalanine, and aspartic acid. With the recent upturn in health concerns, aspartame has been and continues to be, used in many products, including many trademark brands: Tropicana Slim, NutraSweet, Equal, diet sodas, condiments, and even some vitamin supplements.
Side Effects of Aspartame Toxicity
Being that aspartame is a sugar alternative designed to be safe and present in so many products, it may seem that little problem exists with the product. However, recent research has uncovered many harmful side effects of continued aspartame consumption. According to a recent FDA report, aspartame can cause any number of the following:
- decreased vision
- pain in or behind the eyes
- blindness
- tinnitus
- impaired hearing
- headache
- dizziness
- confusion and memory loss
- drowsiness
- paresthesia of the limbs
- shortness of breath and heart palpitations
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- skin allergies and reactions
Detoxing Aspartame
Whether experiencing those effects or not, you should consider detoxing your body from aspartame to prevent the further influence of the harmful chemical. Several natural methods for aspartame detox exist. One effective detoxification strategy is activated charcoal – ingested orally or applied topically. Additional methods include taking 2-3 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide followed by vitamins such as B complex, E, and C. Amino acid supplements are also an effective route for rebooting the system and repairing the damage of aspartame. In any case, avoiding aspartame-laden products and eating a clean diet is the best step toward healthy, toxin-free living.
Please read below for more detoxification tips from our readers!