W. Aspartame

                People turn to diet sodas as an alternative to sugar filled soda. However, though you are saving yourself the calories, the chemicals in soda are taking a toll on your body. Artificial sweeteners impact health very negatively in the long run.

                One of the most harmful chemicals in these artificial sweeteners is Aspartame. Aspartame contains Phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol. Aspartame is linked to cancer. Here is a list of a few side effects of Aspartame: seizures, neurological disorders, vision problems, brain tumors and weight gain. That isn’t even half of the side effects, just to give you an idea. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid impact the brain and the nervous system directly. Here’s something really interesting, researchers have found measurable amount of formaldehyde in people’s livers, kidneys, and brains that consume aspartame Formaldehyde causes serious health problems and is found in cigarettes, natural gas, exhaust from vehicles, power plants, and many more things. And this is just one of the dangerous chemicals found in artificial sweeteners. A few more dangerous chemicals in artificial sweeteners are Aceslulfame-K (carcinogen), Sucralose (cause shrinking of the thymus gland, liver and kidney dysfunction), and Saccharin (carcinogen).

                My mom has always drank diet soda, and not because it is the “healthier” alternative but because she likes how it tastes. It always concerned me because I know the dangers but I didn’t want to confront her and make her mad at me. But for the past two weeks, on her own, she has stopped drinking diet soda. It makes me very proud of her because I don’t want her to have health problems because of a drink. I am still very concerned though because she has consumed so much of it and I really hope it hasn’t had a negative effect on her.

The FDA approves of a chemical that causes cancer and is extremely unhealthy for people?