Myths about the true dangers of aspartame are false & bull; hello healthy

As a low-calorie sweetener, aspartame has drawn a lot of controversy. Various news about the dangers of aspartame, from true to false, has been circulating in the public. Myths about aspartame can lead to misperceptions and make aspartame feared excessively. In fact, according to research aspartame actually has health benefits.

To answer the confusion that occurs in the community regarding aspartame, I will discuss some popular aspartame myths as well as provide facts based on research that has been conducted by experts in the medical world.

What is aspartame?

Aspartame is a sweetener containing the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. As a low-calorie sweetener, aspartame has a sweet taste 200 times stronger than regular sugar. Aspartame is very low in calories. Aspartame has even been used in sugar-free foods and low-calorie soft drinks for more than 25 years.

a sweet 200 times stronger than regular sugar. Aspartame is very low in calories. Aspartame has even been used in sugar-free foods and low-calorie soft drinks for more than 25 years.

Aspartame has been approved and declared safe by the Food and Drug Administration (Badan POM). Unless you suffer from a rare disease, namely phenylketonuria, in which the body cannot digest the amino acid phenylalanine in aspartame. Phenylketonuria sufferers should avoid foods that contain phenylalanine, including aspartame, meat, nuts, and so on.

According to the POM, the maximum limit for aspartame consumption is 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (50 mg / kg) per day. This means that if you weigh 50 kg, the maximum limit of aspartame per day is around 2,500 mg.

Various dangers of aspartame that turned out to be just a myth

Here are some of the dangers of aspartame which turn out to be just a myth plus the facts behind it.

1. Aspartame can cause cancer

In fact, the National Cancer Institute in the United States says there is no scientific evidence linking aspartame to cancer. Various studies conducted on animals and humans have shown no evidence that aspartame can be a carcinogen (cancer-causing compound).

Based on a large number of studies conducted on the safety of aspartame, it has been shown that aspartame did not cause tumors or cancer in mice and humans during the experiment.

2. Aspartame causes brain damage

Until now, no research has shown that someone who takes aspartame is at risk for brain damage such as tumors and other problems.

Research shows that aspartame has absolutely no effect on brain memory. Several studies have also shown that the phenylalanine in aspartame does not enter the brain, let alone cause brain damage. So this shows that aspartame is safe for consumption in the recommended dosage, without causing damage to the brain.

3. Aspartame should not be consumed by people with diabetes

The third myth of aspartame is that people with diabetes cannot consume it because it can raise blood sugar levels. In fact, people with diabetes can drink or eat foods that contain aspartame. Even the maximum recommended dose for diabetics is the same as for healthy people in general, which is 50 mg / kg body weight per day.

Why so? Aspartame is a very low calorie compound that does not contain carbohydrates, so that if consumed it will not increase blood sugar levels in the body.

However, what needs to be considered in people with diabetes is an appropriate diet. Therefore, in addition to choosing suitable low-calorie sweeteners, it is also highly recommended to consult a proper and appropriate diet with a nutritionist.

4. Aspartame can make fat

Aspartame myth that is also often heard is that aspartame can make you fat. In fact, aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener so it doesn't increase body weight. However, because aspartame also has a sweet taste like sugar, this can increase your habit of eating other sweet foods.

Consuming sweet foods with high sugar levels over time can cause obesity. So that this habit can cause obesity, but not because of the aspartame itself.

Now, after knowing the medical facts behind the aspartame myth, you don't need to be afraid anymore to consume it. As long as you do not have phenylketonuria and take it in the recommended dosage, aspartame will not harm your body and your health.