Most complaints refer to neurological disorders, and in 1994 78% of complaints to the US Adverse Reaction Monitoring System were linked to Aspartame. Research conducted by the Sweetener Industry and the American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has always shown this product to be perfectly safe. Reviews of these studies have alleged some of them to be flawed, poorly conducted, misrepresented and biased. The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group suggests that Aspartame is removed from children’s food.

It was believed that these low-calorie and calorie-free sweeteners would help wage the battle against weight gain and obesity, and they are part of the multi-million dollar diet industry. However, the US which is the worlds largest consumer of sweeteners, also has the world largest obesity problems. It is now believed that sweeteners are partly responsible for the increase in weight problems; they encourage people to eat large amounts of ‘diet’ products which are unhealthy, and often still fattening. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity reveals that artificial sweeteners may actually promote obesity by tricking the body into thinking that foods contain few calories. It is also thought that sweeteners such as Aspartame make the body crave sugar and other carbohydrates.

I think that you can see now, that this is a sticky subject, and it is difficult to really know how safe or effective sweeteners are. But, there is one definite scientific fact available; sugar is safe. Use in sensible amounts, stay active and brush your teeth well.

Sweeten foods with unrefined brown sugar, honey, apple juice or apple puree. As with salt, you can retrain your brain to enjoy the taste of less sugar. Encourage children from a young age to enjoy drinking water rather than sugary and sweetened drinks, offer plenty of naturally sweet fruit and vegetables such as carrots, peppers, and squash. If you are concerned about the health effects of sweeteners, read the back of packaging carefully, make your own food and offer children good quality chocolate rather than dubious sweets. Try some Organic treats and snacks as these cannot contain artificial sweeteners and other baddies.