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2002/06/21, 02:05 PM
What's aspartame?
I'm avoiding sugar and I've noticed that most chewing gum has this stuff. I know its probably in too little in amount to do any harm, but I would like to know what you guys think.
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2002/06/21, 03:38 PM
Artificial sweetener.
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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
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2002/06/21, 08:53 PM
Chewing gum shouldn't contain very high doses, however awareness is growing about the fact that aspartame can be harmful. The whey protein I have actually says "Aspartame free" right on the package.
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Only dead fish go with the flow.
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2002/06/21, 09:08 PM
As Robert said, its an artificial sweetener. Its simply a no-calorie replacement for sugar. There are still some people that freak out about this stuff because it supposedly causes cancer and other health problems. That's really a bunch of BS. Aspertame is simply the combination of 2 amino acids: phenylalanine and aspartic acid. When the two amino acids seperate during digestion, a methyl group is released. These free methyl groups have been linked to eye problems and a couple other minor health risks. Truth is, a 'healthy' glass of tomato juice has over 8 times the amount of methyl groups as one 12oz diet soda. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives a specified amount that is safe for human consumption, and I don't believe anyone has ever come close to to an unsafe amount. Basically, the safety limit is equivilant to about 40 (yes forty) diet sodas a day. I'm not sure how many packets of Nuti-Sweet that would come out to. The only people in real danger are those with the rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, or PKU. These people cannot digest phenylalanine and it builds up to toxic levels in the blood. You probably would never have to worry about that, though.
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--JBennett
"I've up-ed my intensity.... now up yours!"
"Pain is only weakness leaving the body."
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2002/06/22, 09:05 PM
Great info., J! It helps to have members like you who know what the hell they're talking about...
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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
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2002/06/23, 10:35 AM
Thanks for the info guys
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