Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - Aspartame Rebranding

When you think of the word “AminoSweet” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it something not so bad for you perhaps, something that maybe, just maybe is even good? I mean – amino- sweet – two pretty innocuous terms, unless you have heard the latest health news through Dr. Mercola’s site, or you follow industry news through FoodBev 2010.

AminoSweet is the new brand name for aspartame. Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history, and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA history. Aspartame producer Ajinomoto chose to rebrand it under the name AminoSweet, to “remind the industry that aspartame tastes just like sugar, and that it’s made from amino acids – the building blocks of protein that are abundant in our diet.”

A claim Dr. Mercola calls, “deception at its finest”. More than likely the choice to rebrand was made because people are becoming aware of the dangers of aspartame, and making healthier choices.

The fact is, the number one artificial sweetener that you need to watch out for is aspartame. Commonly sold under the brand names of NutraSweet, Spoonful, and Equal, aspartame will not help you feel better as you work so hard to do just that. Now I know what you're thinking, aspartame has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so surely it's safe right? After all, it is in practically EVERYTHING from diet soda to instant breakfasts and breath mints to multivitamins and many pharmaceuticals and over the counter medications.

Well, let's start by taking a look at some aspartame highlights. One of the key ingredients in aspartame is methanol, which besides being toxic is cumulative, converting to formaldehyde in the body. As a matter of fact, methanol, or wood alcohol is the very same thing that has blinded or killed so many skid-row alcoholics. See what that can of diet soda could cost you?

Just a few of the other key ingredients in aspartame are aspartic acid, and phenylalanine – which has been suggested that in high levels it actually lowers seratonin levels, and leads to emotional disorders. In also breaks down the seizure threshold, causing manic depression and panic attacks.

According to the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network Fact Sheet, in the laboratory aspartame has produced brain tumors, breast tumors, uterine tumors, pancreatic tumors, seizures and deaths. Aspartame has also reportedly led to suicidal depressions, panic attacks and anxiety, sleep disorders, mood disorders, brain chemical imbalances, and personaility disorders. It has also been reported to exacerbate or trigger the onset of epilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, and that's just for starters.

Think about what aspartame, now known as “AminoSweet” has been reported to do next time you reach for that diet soda…and find a healthier alternative.