The risks of taking aspartame

O aspartame It is an artificial sweetener developed in the laboratory, widely used in the composition of various foods, medicines and especially in beverages.

With a sweetening power 200 times greater than sugar, its excessive consumption can lead to an increase in the levels of chemical elements in the human body that cause various side effects.

Why is too much aspartame harmful?

One of the results of excess aspartame in metabolism is the release of methanoic acid into the blood, a highly toxic substance that is even present in ant poisons. Another component harmful to health is aspartic acid, which causes cell death and is especially harmful to children – because at this stage the brain does not yet have a fully developed protective barrier.

In addition to these two components, the aspartame it also releases phenylalanine, which in high concentration in the brain can lower serotonin levels leading to disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, headache and increase the risk of heart attack.

Despite being a product always found in the categories of healthy and diet products in stores and supermarkets, the aspartame can increase the desire to consume carbohydrates, causing weight gain.

It is also considered a poison for diabetics, as it controls blood sugar levels and can even lead to a coma. Its consumption is prohibited for patients with a rare disease called phenylketonuria, as the carriers’ bodies are not able to metabolize phenylalanine.

Safe consumption of aspartame

If you have doubts about the presence of the aspartame on products that are part of your diet, check the labels, as ANVISA regulates that the presence of aspartame and especially phenylalanine is evident on the packaging. It is important to remember that excessive consumption of aspartame can be harmful to health, but if consumed within limits, it is a healthy sweetener.

The National Health Surveillance Agency also informs that the maximum amount of aspartame that an adult weighing 60 kg can safely ingest daily is 2,400 mg, which is approximately equivalent to the consumption of 48 1 g envelopes of a dietary sweetener. with 5% aspartame, or 4 liters of soda sweetened only with aspartame. In the case of a child weighing 30 kg, the maximum amounts correspond to 24 packets of the same sweetener or 2 liters of soda.

Therefore, it is important to keep your intake of soft drinks and products containing aspartame at a healthy level to benefit from their use without putting your health at risk.

Stevia: A healthy alternative

THE stevia is an original plant from Paraguay that has a great sweetening capacity and therefore can be an alternative to sweeten foods and drinks in a healthier way. The extract of this panta, used in the manufacture of natural stevia sweetener, it is 10 to 15 times sweeter than sugar itself. In addition, stevia is non-toxic, contains no calories, does not cause diabetes, does not alter the blood sugar level, and has numerous applications in medicine.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.