In this week’s Bible study, we talked about feeding our spirits—intentional or not—with negativity that seems to surround us in our daily lives. Everything we see or hear makes a deposit on the inside of us—good or bad. We need to be aware of how we spend our time and be more conscious of the choices we make.
It’s the same with food. If we eat Twinkies all day long we know we are depositing unhealthy food into our bodies and can expect adverse effects. But what about the times we intentionally feed our bodies with unhealthy choices but don’t realize the harm it can cause?
A few years ago I was having lunch with a friend and she was telling me about the health issues she had been experiencing. She listed a number of symptoms—headaches, dizziness, irritability, and anxiety attacks which she contributed to the lack of medical answers. She had been to the doctor numerous times, had blood work as well as scans done, yet they found nothing that would contribute to the symptoms on her list.
Since she was drinking a diet soft drink at lunch, I suggested she look into the effects of an ingredient commonly found in diet soft drinks, Aspartame. If your fretting right now, you need to hear this.
Aspartame, also known as Equal or NutraSweet, has been linked to numerous health issues. Somehow this chemical made its way into society even though in 1980, the FDA Board of Inquiry (comprised of three independent scientists) confirmed that Aspartame “might induce brain tumors.” The FDA actually banned aspartame based on this finding, but obviously came to market anyway.
This harmful ingredient breaks down into phenylalanine when it is then ingested and metabolized. Phenylalanine causes excessive action of neurons in the brain and it kills cells. That last sentence is worth repeating. It kills brain cells. Research has also shown that too much phenylalanine can trigger seizures, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit, Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), as well as neurological, emotional and behavioral disorders.
Many of the complaints that come into the FDA about food reactions pertain to Aspartame. The FDA once listed 92 different symptoms associated with the use of NutraSweet. Symptoms confirmed through controlled studies include headaches/migraines, weight gain, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, depression, irritability, anxiety attacks, tingling and numbness, convulsions, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, aggravation of diabetes, menstrual problems, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, decreased vision, eye pain, ear ringing, noise intolerance and excessive thirst.
As if that’s not enough, how about adding weight gain to the list? Recent research shows that diet soft drinks not only harm your overall health, it can sabotage your diet! Dr. Hyman, MD discusses this very topic in his article, Artificial Sweeteners Could Be Sabotaging Your Diet
“The Journal of Behavioral Neuroscience has shown conclusively that using artificial sweeteners not only does not prevent weight gain, but induces a whole set of physiological and hormonal responses that actually makes you gain weight.” Dr. Hyman, MD
It is estimated that over 6,000 food and drink products worldwide containing this popular artificial sweetener. Commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free candy and gum as well as other sugar-free items such as yogurt, catsup, Crystal Light, Jello, pudding, nutritional bars, cereals, etc. Don’t fall into the “Sugar-Free” marketing trap and always check ingredients.
It is estimated that over 6,000 food and drink products worldwide containing this popular artificial sweetener. Commonly found in diet sodas, sugar-free candy and gum as well as other sugar-free items such as yogurt, catsup, Crystal Light, Jello, pudding, nutritional bars, cereals, etc. Don’t fall into the “Sugar-Free” marketing trap and always check ingredients.
My friend completely cut out diet soft drinks and all other products with aspartame and regained her health. Occasionally she will have Zevia, which is a soft drink sweetened with stevia. It may cost a little more than the typical soft drinks do, but in the end those soft drinks can be a larger financial burden. My friend is living proof—pay for it now or pay for it later.
From a health perspective, I am not a fan of sodas, and I personally don’t think it’s healthy to drink any type of soda, especially regularly. Carbonated beverages are acid forming and it is not healthy for our bodies. However, occasionally, I will drink Zevia which is sweetened with Stevia. Here’s an article I wrote a few years ago on Zevia. Although more products have hit the store shelves, Zevia is still one of my favorites. I usually buy it at Safeway—they often have it on sale with extra coupons on their app.
More information:
Dr. Mecola: Aspartame
Dr. Hyman: Artificial Sweeteners Could Be Sabotaging Your Diet THERE’S NO DOUBT about it. Artificial sweeteners cause obesity.
Processed Free America, Dee McCaffrey, author of The Science of Skinny (and our guest speaker in May!)
Food Inc. (Also available on Netflix, Blockbuster, your local library) or watch on Amazon
