O aspartame It is an artificial sweetener developed in laboratory widely used in the composition of various foods, medicines and especially in beverages.
With sweetening power 200 times greater than sugar, its excessive consumption can lead to an increase in the levels of chemicals in the human body that cause various side effects.
Why is excess aspartame harmful?
One of the results of the excess aspartame in metabolism It is the release of metanoic acid into the blood, a highly toxic substance that is present even in ant poisons. Another harmful component 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 concentrations in the brain can lower the level of serotonin leading to disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, headache and increased risk of heart attack.
Despite being a product always found in the healthy and dietary product categories in stores and supermarkets, the aspartame It can increase the urge to consume carbohydrates, causing weight gain.
It is also considered a poison for diabetics because it uncontrolled blood sugar levels can even lead to coma. Its consumption is prohibited for patients with a rare disease called phenylketonuria, because the carrier's organism is unable to metabolize phenylalanine.
Safe Consumption of Aspartame
If you have questions about the presence of aspartame In the products that are part of your food, check the labels, because 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 cause health damage, but if consumed within limits, it is a healthy sweetener.
The National Health Surveillance Agency also reports that the maximum amount of aspartame that a 60 kg adult can safely eat daily is 2,400 mg, which is roughly equivalent to the consumption of 48 1 g envelopes of a dietary sweetener. with 5% aspartame, or 4 liters of soda sweetened with aspartame alone. In the case of a 30 kg child, the maximum quantities are 24 envelopes of the same sweetener or 2 liters of soda.
It is therefore important to keep your intake of soft drinks and products containing aspartame at a healthy level to benefit from their use without endangering your health.
Stevia: A Healthy Alternative
THE stevia It is an original Paraguayan plant that has great sweetener capacity and can therefore be an alternative to sweeten foods and drinks healthier. The extract of this panta, used in the manufacture of stevia natural sweetener, is up to 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 still has numerous applications in medicine.
Mayo Clinic Minute: Artificial sweetener debate continues (April 2024)
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