tired fools

“why can’t all the good things in life come without the downsides?”, intones the advert for coke zero, the great coke taste with zero sugar. that’s zero sugar, but plenty aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sodium benzoate, and other yummies.

aspartame?

While it is well-known that aspartame contains phenylalanine and is unsafe for those born with phenylketonuria, research has also indicated more recently that aspartame can be implicated in other public health issues and holds serious health risks.

In 1995, FDA Epidemiology Branch Chief, Thomas Wilcox reported that aspartame complaints represented 75% of all reports of adverse reactions to substances in the food supply from 1981 to 1995. [1] Concerns about aspartame frequently revolve around symptoms and health conditions that are allegedly caused by the sweetener. A total of 92 different symptoms and health conditions were reported by physicians and consumers, although this does not mean physician-reported or self-reported health effects are a basis for drawing scientific conclusions.[2]

Questions have been raised about brain cancer, lymphoma, and genotoxic effects such as DNA-protein crosslinks, but these questions are primarily not based on reported case histories.

The sources for reported symptoms and health conditions that have raised questions include:

1. Reports and analysis of case histories in scientific journals and at medical conferences
2. Symptoms reported to the FDA and other governmental agencies
3. Symptoms reported to non-governmental organizations, researchers, and physicians
4. Reports of symptoms and health conditions in the media
5. Self-reported cases on the Internet.

There is debate in the scientific and medical community as to whether these symptoms are or are not caused by short-term or long-term exposure to aspartame. Some human and animal studies have found adverse effects [4], [5], [6] and some have found no adverse effects [7], [8], [9].

It is not only the results of the research that have been questioned, but the design of the research that led to specific outcomes. For example, in human research of aspartame, the aspartame is usually provided in slow-dissolving capsules. But the biochemical changes from ingesting aspartame in slow-dissolving capsules are many times smaller than those from ingesting aspartame dissolved in liquids (such as carbonated beverages). [10]

Some human studies provide more than the daily allowance of aspartame, but in an encapsulated form. Based on the above-cited research, the equivalent amount of “real-world” aspartame in these human studies would be less. Other questions that have been raised about aspartame research involving the length of the studies, the number of test subjects, conflict of interest issues, and improper testing procedures.

acesulfame potassium?

Acesulfame K has been approved for use in foods in Europe since 1983, in the United States since 1988, and in Canada since 1994. In 1985, the European Union’s Scientific Committee for Food published a comprehensive assessment of sweetening agents. This committee of toxicological experts from the EU member countries accepted Acesulfame K for use in foods and beverages. Safety of usage of Acesulfame K has also been examined by JECFA, with the conclusion that Acesulfame K is safe to use, at least at levels less than the acceptable daily intake of 15 mg/kg of body weight.

However, the studies that purport to show safety have been challenged by a number of individuals and organizations, most notably the Center for Science in the Public Interest in the USA. They claim that the existing studies are inadequate (despite being peer-reviewed), that there are flaws in the research protocols, dosing, and time length of the studies, and that as a result the carcinogenicity of acesulfame K may not be properly understood. In particular they note that there have not been long-term human studies, so they doubt the studies which show that acesulfame is rapidly absorbed and then excreted unchanged (i.e., not metabolized by the human body) are representative of the long-term.

The EU’s Scientific Committee in its re-evaluation of the product following concerns from CSPI and others concluded that Acesulfame K is not harmful, as no reproducible mutagenic effects have been discovered in years of use, noting [1]:

“The Committee considered that although the carcinogenicity studies are old they could still be used in the safety evaluation of acesulfame K. Moreover, the Committee does not agree with the interpretation of the CSPI that there is an indication of possible carcinogenicity from these studies. The one aberrant, positive mutagenicity finding in mouse bone marrow cells could not be replicated and all other mutagenicity findings were negative. No other new data has appeared indicating potential harmful effects. Thus there is no reason to require any additional studies of chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity or mutagenicity.”

Currently, the scientific community’s official position is that acesulfame K is safe to consume, which is the view put forth on the sweetener industry’s public relations website, IFIC.

An elevation in insulin levels is known to cause an increase in cravings for food and consequently, may indirectly lead to weight gain. Sodium saccharin, sodium cyclamate, stevioside and acesulfame-K are all known to enhance insulin release even though they are not carbohydrates.

sodium benzoate?

In combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C, E300), sodium and potassium benzoate may form benzene, a known carcinogen. Heat, light and shelf life can affect the rate benzene is formed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently (as of March 2006) performing tests, but the Environmental Working Group is calling for FDA to publicly release all tests and use their authority to force companies to reformulate to avoid the benzene forming combination (EWG).

all quotes are from safety sections on each of the additives on wikipedia.

aside from the obvious concerns over additives, there’s also thehealth effects of carbonated water itself.

Subject: Re: Health effects of carbonation
Answered By: penguin-ga on 18 Apr 2002 11:04 PDT

Hi Sheryl!

Carbonation has both benefits and risk to human health.

Carbonation is known to kill bacteria that may cause infection.
You may choose carbonated water if you are traveling in a foreign
country to prevent a negative reaction to the country’s bacteria.

USA Weekend Magazine (September 2-4, 1994)
http://www.usaweekend.com/food/carper_archive/940904eat_smart.html

In an article in
“Mindconnection’s Information Connection: How to Have Healthy Skin”
http://www.mindconnection.com/library/health/skinhealth.htm,
we learn that carbonation can break down calcium in the human body,
which can be a risk to weak tooth structure and in severe cases lead
to osteoporosis.

In her article “Natural Remedies for Heartburn”, Alli Parker explains
other risks involving carbonation including esophagus irritation leading
to bloating or indigestion.

“Life’s Essentials” by Alli Parker
http://www3.lifeserv.com/essentials/wellness/article.asp?ArticleID=2433

Carbonation also increases the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream,
according to the article Basic Alcohol Information
http://healthed.msu.edu/snc/basic.htm

I hope this helps!
Additional Websites that may interest you:

Smile: Protect Your Mouth
Rosemary Elliott- Snow, RDH
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/dental.html

Search Terms Used:
+Carbonation Health Benefits OR Risk
+ Carbonation AND tooth decay
+ Carbonation AND indigestion

Regards,
The Google Answers Team
www.google.com

Clarification of Answer by penguin-ga on 18 Apr 2002 14:02 PDT

Sheryl,
I would like to bring your attention to some great reading on non carbonated
water benefits!

Trainforlife.net is a valuable web resource for the positive health benefits of
non carbonated water. These include body hydration, energy balance, and
increased metabolism.
http://www.trainforlife.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12

For more information on the health benefits of non carbonated water, see the
City of Iowa City website at
http://www.icgov.org/waterhealth.htm

On the contrary, if you are interested the association between tooth decay and
carbonated beverages, please see
“Smile: Protect Your Mouth” by Rosemary Elliott- Snow, RDH. Cancer Supportive
Care.com
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/dental.html

I hope this clarifies my answer for you!
~ penguin

this from google answers. of course there’s more. yes, “why can’t all the good things in life come without the downsides?”