Aspartame

[kristin]

I heard on the radio today that research shows that Aspartame (the non-sugar sweetener found in diet sodas) does cause brain tumors. So, as a diet Pepsi addict and former host to an Acoustic Neuroma, I'm wondering if Pepsi, Co. should be held a little responsible?

[Kathleen_Mc]

I have thought about that a number of times, problem is proving that you wouldn't have got the thing if you hadn't drank the stuff, since they don't know all the causes of a.n. and this is a new theory, a.n.'s have been around a lot longer than sweeteners
Kathleen

[russ]

Hi
  Seems there are literally 100s of products containing Nutrasweet. Most likely the rats were given doses to exceeding 1000s of times of what average aspartame intake would be by humans.
  Aspartame is actually produced by the body in miniscule amounts. It is an 'amino acid'.
  Russ

[MyrnaB]

When I first started having my symptoms and did not know I had a tumor, I thought I had aspartame poisening.  All the symptoms seemed to fit.  My doctor told me several years ago that aspartame was a killer and everyone should avoid it if possible.  Then my tumor was found and I have had surgery.  Like Russ said, aspartame is in 100s of products.  Now, common sense would tell me to not use anything with this in it.  But, I love Diet Coke.  Have I quit drinking it?  NO!  If a person is truly health conscious, they should avoid this and hundreds of other products out there "just in case".  Life is too short.  I am going to go have a diet coke and get busy outside.  Have a nice day. 

[alibauer]

I agree! I'm a diet coke addict and have no plans of quitting, even after my schwannoma diagnosis. Life is too short not to enjoy it while we can. I'm sure we can all relate to that.

Another thing I'm not giving up? The occasional dirty martini! 

[jenifyer]

I have thought about this many times myself.  As much as i try not to drink diet sodas, i love my diet coke!  I don't know if any of you have dried new diet coke made with splenda, but it tastes really good.  Splenda is made from sugar and supposedly it is not at all harmful.

jenifyer

[Kathleen_Mc]

Jennifer: splenda! the new guy on the block, made from sugar....10years from now they'll find something it causes somehow......something's gotta kill us eventually! (advid diet product drinker for over 20 years) Kathleen

[russ]

Ah;
  SPLENDA!!   10 x sweeter than pure sugar and made from sugar by adding a chlorine ion. We'll see how this one goes with people as we watch 'Stevia'!
  Russ