According to Dr. Andrew Weil (integrative medicine pioneer), occasional use of aspartame likely presents no great risk for most people, with exception to people with the genetic disease PKU, liver disease, pregnant women, or anyone with a neurological disease. He claims there is no scientific evidence to support Internet claims that there is an "aspartame disease" or that it worsens symptoms of disorders like MS, lupus, and fibromyalgia. The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation has also published a letter on its site refuting the claim that aspartame worsens the condition.

That being said, Dr. Weil does not advocate using it for weight loss because there is no evidence to suggest that artificial sweeteners help anyone lose weight. So why use them, especially if safety concerns exist? He states that it is wiser to consume moderate amounts of sugar rather than any artificial sweeteners. Sugar is safe when used in moderation, and relatively low in calories (about 15 per teaspoon).

The only non-caloric sweetener he recommends is called stevia, an herb in the chrysanthemum family native to Paraguay that you can buy in whole-leaf or extract form. Stevia is safe for diabetics and is widely used as a sweetener around the world, especially in Japan and Brazil. A few drops of the liquid provide the sweetness of an entire cup of sugar.
Source(s):
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA106654


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