Rumors Unfounded Surrounding Low-Calorie Sweetener Aspartame

Aspartame can help people accomplish their weight loss goals through simple substitutions.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 10, 2005 -- Despite the overwhelming documentation of aspartames safety, unfounded allegations that aspartame is associated with a myriad of ailments continue to circulate. However, several governments and expert scientific committees (including the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission, the United Kingdoms Food Standards Agency, the French Food Safety Agency and Health Canada) carefully evaluated the Internet allegations and found them to be false, reconfirming the safety of aspartame.
   
Its unfortunate that rumors continue to circulate about aspartame," says Calorie Control Council dietitian, Kimberly Lummus. Not only is aspartame safe, but it can also be beneficial in helping people accomplish their weight goals, especially during January when weight loss is top of mind," Ms. Lummus adds.
   
According to Ms. Lummus, making small changes -- such as using a sugar substitute (like aspartame) in coffee or tea -- can prevent dieters from feeling overwhelmed. Making small changes are usually changes that can be maintained long-term and dont leave people feeling deprived. Ms. Lummus offers the following additional suggestions for making simple changes:
·   Use skim or reduced-fat milk in place of whole
·   Instead of parking close to the office building, park farther away and take the stairs
·   Choose a reduced-fat and low-calorie yogurt (such as those sweetened with aspartame)
·   Get up 15 minutes early and take a quick walk
    
According to the Food & Drug Administration, the American Medical Association, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and other leading regulatory and health agencies, people can be confident in the safety of aspartame.
    
According to the ADAs recent updated position statement, Position of the American Dietetic Association: Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners," consumers who want the taste of added sweetness without added energy may select nonnutritive sweeteners to assist in the management of weight, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Nonnutritive sweeteners also have the potential to assist in dental health and dietary quality."
    
Additionally, an October 2004 British Medical Journal editorial states, Evidence does not support links between aspartame and cancer, hair loss, depression, dementia, behavioural disturbances, or any of the other conditions appearing in websites. It [the European Scientific Committee on Food concluded from biochemical, clinical, and behavioural research that the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg/day of aspartame remained entirely safe-except for people with phenylketonuria."
    
For more information about the safety and benefits of aspartame, visit www.aspartame.org. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the following:

Alzheimers Association: http://www.alz.org/AboutAD/Myths.asp

The Nemours Foundation:   http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/aspartame.html

U.S. Food & Drug Administration: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-adf9.html

The Calorie Control Council is a non-profit international association of manufacturers of light foods and beverages.

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