Dangers of saccharin

rm247

Full Member
Without really thinking about it, since joining SW i have vastly increased the amount of artifical sweetner i consume either directly or already included in diet drinks.

With the various stories about the dangers of saccharin and other artifical sweeteners, i was wondering how you feel about the increase in the amount you are taking in?
 
I don't have any artificial sweeteners at all. I have water and herbal teas but always have their is always a healthier option, even on slimming world. I think they focus on natural foods like your super free and most free foods but it's always your choice if you want to add artificial yogurts and drinks instead of natural drinks and natural non sweetened yogurts. I think slimming world can easily be done without alpen light bars, mug shots, muller lights and diet drinks.
 
There was a long thread about aspartame here a while back - you might want to look for that as there were lots of opinions given and some links to research.
 
I am also worried about the sweeteners used in SW. I'm not keen on Mullerlights and Alpen lights because I think they taste artificial. I very rarely drink diet drinks anyway. I'm not perfect I do sprinkle some Splenda on Greek yoghurt or over tart fruit but I would rather have desserts made with sugar as a very occasional treat (and count the syns) rather than have something that doesn't taste the same.
 
I have no concerns whatsoever, there are risks in everything we do and the risks associated with being overweight are well established and accepted while most of what you see quoted about sweeteners is misinformation, generalisations or just plain scaremongering xx
 
Aspartame is perfectly safe (as safe as any food group can be). Aspartame is the sweetener used in most fizzy drinks. Some people have a very low tolerance to aspartame, it's something to do with them not being able to break it down. But, just because some people. Have a nut allergy doesn't make nuts unsafe.
The sheer quantity of aspartame consumed over the last thirty years would by now show quite conclusive evidence of any negative health impact.
 
Without really thinking about it, since joining SW i have vastly increased the amount of artifical sweetner i consume either directly or already included in diet drinks.

With the various stories about the dangers of saccharin and other artifical sweeteners, i was wondering how you feel about the increase in the amount you are taking in?

This is from the NHS website:


Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic condition that is present from birth. The body is unable to break down a substance called phenylalanine, which builds up in the blood and brain.High levels of phenylalanine can damage the brain. PKU is treated with a special low-protein diet, which reduces the levels of phenylalanine in the body and prevents brain damage.
PKU doesn't usually cause any symptoms if treatment is started early – but if it isn't treated, damage to the brain and nervous system can lead to:

  • learning disabilities
  • behavioural difficulties
  • epilepsy
High levels of phenylalanine can also cause eczema.


If you look on food packaging which contain sweetener you will usually see "Contains Phenylalanine" (particularly on chewing gum packets) so yes it is dangerous for people with this condition but most people don't have this (as above, this is a rare condition) so it is perfectly safe. However, I'm a believer that too much of anything can't be good...
 
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