Aspartame is an artificial sweetener, and it holds most of the controversy for this property. It is commonly used as a sugar substitute by people who want to reduce sugar intake. Aspartame can lead to some allergic reactions in a few people and can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin issues.
Aspartame is 200 to 400 times sweeter than sugar, dissolves quickly into the solution, and travels faster into the blood and tissues. Our body can digest this sugar easily, unlike saccharin, which does not break down easily. The extent of aspartame allergy depends on a person’s physical weaknesses and genetic individuality. It is considered a ‘sweet poison’ by the people who have suffered its adverse reactions.
Most people who experience aspartame allergy are sensitive to the amino acid compound known as phenylanine. According to some experts, people tolerate a certain amount of aspartame well. However, ingesting more of it can trigger some side effects.
Aspartame has been proven safe for humans, but sometimes, the immune system mistakes it as a harmful substance. Thus, it causes aspartame allergy and leads to several symptoms in the body. So, if you feel any allergic reactions after consuming aspartame, immediately consult your doctor before it becomes life-threatening. Read more about aspartame intolerance symptoms and treatment in the following lines.
Symptoms of Aspartame Allergy
Aspartame can cause multiple health problems, and they can show gradually or can be immediate or can be acute reactions. Some important ones are as follows:
- Eye Defects: Aspartame allergy can cause defects in the eyes as it can lead to decreased vision like blurring, tunnel vision, squiggly lines, decreased vision at night, decreased tears production, bulging eyes, trouble with contact lenses, pain in both the eyes and even blindness
- Ear Defects: Allergy from Aspartame can cause problem in ears too. It can lead to buzzing sound, intolerance towards the noise, and can also cause hearing impairment
- Psychiatric Problems: Several kinds of psychological problems such as aggression, irritability, severe depression, anxiety, phobias, insomnia, and personality changes can be caused due to aspartame
- Neurological Defects: Some problems related to nervous system can be caused due to aspartame allergy. These are headaches, migraines, epileptic seizures, dizziness, confusion, unsteadiness, memory loss, sleepiness, severe drowsiness, numbness in limbs, speech slurring, restless legs and severe hyperactivity. It can also lead to severe tremors and atypical facial pains
- Gastrointestinal Defects: Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pains, bloody stools and pain while swallowing food can be caused due to allergy from aspartame
- Issues in Chest: Aspartame allergy can lead to fast heart rate, palpitations, very high blood pressure and shortness of breath
- Skin Allergies: This artificial sweetener can cause itchy skin, rashes, hives, lip and mouth reactions, respiratory allergies like asthma
- Hormonal and Metabolic Side Effects: Aspartame allergy can lead to menstrual changes in women, hair thinning and loss, weight issues, low blood sugar, loss of diabetes control, and severe PMS
Aspartame intolerance is not medically proven. However, few people, i.e., about 10%, report having reactions to aspartame. Hives, headaches, and nausea are the most common symptoms. These reactions occur after ingesting aspartame-containing diet drinks or foods made with aspartame. These are some of the aspartame allergy symptoms. Some other symptoms of aspartame allergy can include excessive thirst, burning during urination, fluid retention, bloating, and swelling in the legs.
Severe side effects of aspartame toxicity can include birth defects with peptic ulcers, mental retardation, etc. It may cause hyperactivity in kids, aggressive behavior, irreversible brain damage, suicidal tendencies, and death.
Regular intake of aspartame can change the ratio of amino acids in the blood. It can block or lower tyrosine, serotonin, adrenaline, or nor-adrenaline levels in the blood. Hence, it is evident that aspartame symptoms can not be detected in lab tests. There are some practical ways to detoxify from aspartame, and these are discussed below.
Aspartame Allergy Treatment
Aspartame allergy can be treated in the following ways, and health can be restored back by following the aspartame detoxification program:
- Stop sugar free products: All the sugar free products should be stopped in the diet
- Record health changes: You must learn about the changes happening in your body and make a record of the changes
- Analyze hair: Changes in hair texture and nature should be recorded
- Detoxification: Take antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in the diet. Stay away from ready-made and processed foods. It is also important to include about seventy percent of raw food in daily meals
- Water: Drink plenty of water to remove toxins and purify the body
Aspartame allergy is rare and may give rise to specific side effects. In some cases, a person may be allergic to the food ingested along with aspartame. This leads to a misconception that he/she is allergic to aspartame. Hence, if you suspect an aspartame allergy, consult an allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
These are some of the effective ways to control aspartame allergy symptoms. I hope this information will help you tackle the condition caused due to aspartame with a wish to provide you with good health and happiness.
Aspartame Allergy FAQ
Can I be allergic to aspartame?
You may be allergic to aspartame. Aspartame is a sugar substitute often used in sweetened foods and beverages. It has been linked to various health problems, including anxiety, headaches, seizures, irritable moods, dizziness, and migraines. Always consult your doctor before using this product if you suspect you are allergic to aspartame.
What are side effects of aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been extensively studied and is generally considered safe. However, like any other food or beverage, aspartame consumption has potential side effects. These can range from minor headaches, irritable moods, dizziness, migraines, insomnia, or depression.
Can you be allergic to artificial sweeteners?
Not all artificial sweeteners are potential allergens. According to online scientific reports, very few people suffer from such reactions, most of which are mild. There are less chances of people getting anaphylaxis or serious allergic reactions.
Which is worse sugar or aspartame(artificial sweeteners)?
Both sugar and aspartame are bad as both can be addictive. Aspartame is more likely to make you hungry throughout the day, making you eat more. This can lead to obesity and further can cause diabetes. Sugar is good if taken in small amounts.
8 Comments
I am highly allergic to aspartame and getting people to recognize the dangers even when having X-rays that call for liquids to drink. Within minutes of drinking aspartame Inam thrown into a migraine from one swallow that could last me days and has in the past caused blindness that lasted with severe migraine for 2 weeks after drinking a Diet Pepsi. This is no joke. I have heart palpitations, nadeau, insomnia, joint pain, and this is hard to get people even Dr to fully recognize. Charcoal and niacin are a big help, lots of water if you can keep it down. I just don’t understand why there are not warnings on this dangerous sweetener
Elaine Colter
I’m not the kind of person that goes around trying to sue people for money, but the suffering I’ve done over the past 10 years due to this aspartame makes me want to sue them! That’s what it takes for change! My entire body itches, but the rash is only on my right forearm and the inside of my elbow gets whelps, and bumps, that itch so bad that I can’t keep from scratching! There have been times where I’ve gotten up at 2:00 Three and four o’clock in the morning to shower trying anything to stop the itch!
When you stopped (I assume drinking diet something) using the product containing aspartame did the itching stop? If so, how long did it take for this to happen. I started drinking Diet Pepsi when I found out I had Type 2 diabetes. Was a regular soda drinker before then. Now I itch and have hives. No more “diet” anything for me from now on.
Joanne, I actually started noticing relief in a couple days after purging Aspartame from my system. The itching on my neck and head and leasions also started healing within a couple of days. Years later relief, but thank goodness I figured it out.
After about 4 years I finally figured out that I have an Aspartame allergy. It all started around age 38 when my blood pressure just went crazy high, then I started getting hives and lesions on my neck and head. I also suffered from bulging eyes, and severe pressure in my neck lymphs which the drs. attributed to my blood pressure issue. Ultrasounds on my carotid arteries to rule out blockage, and blood work to rule out cancers or certain inflammatory protein. Tried removing many things from diet one at a time to narrow down. Removed caffein, dairy, meats… finally removed water drink mix packets and started finally seeing relief. So ultimately it was the diet mt. Dews I had become addicted to during my keto phase.. but didn’t realize it because even after I cut them out my drink packets (fruit punch walmart) still had aspartame. I feel much better, not sure I’ll ever be 100%, but that may just be age now too. Good luck, I hope this helps.
Iused to shew xylitol to relieve gerds at night and started to awake up with dizziness ,palpitation, high blood pressure, nausea and headache.
Than I linked all to when I’ve stated using xylitol( aspartame). This stuff should be banned for good,this is poison!
I never really drank much diet soda until I fell in love with a certain brand. I would buy a case, finish it, then buy another case. I developed a rash on all of the exposed skin from my neck to my fingertips. The itching was intense and kept me up at night . The inside of my wrists and elbows were the worst places with welts but the rest of my skin from upper arm to fingers was a bright red rash. My neck was 360 degrees inflamed and itchy. The palm of my right hand cracked and bled at palm wrinkles. I had no idea why. I used benadryl to sleep at night. I gave it some thought and it occurred to me that the start of it was shortly after I began my addiction to this certain brand of beverage. I stopped drinking it, switched to water, and it still took over a month to heal completely. The intense itching and scratching had caused leathery patches in places and they healed last. I still have an area of red thickened skin on my right palm but the improvement is dramatic and I can use my hand again.
I drank Diet Mountain Dew for years and everyone kept warning me about it. i ended up with stage 3 kidney disease and I CLEARLY see a difference on the days that i would drink it with debilitating brain fog to the point of being a zombie and not being able to work or function. it took me a long time to realize and accept that it was the aspartame.