Aspartame (E951 / 951) – The Deadly Sweetener

Also known as: Equal, Nutrasweet, Equal Measure, Spoonful, Canderel

Aspartame is one of the most controversial artificial sweeteners ever approved for human consumption. It is widely marketed under brand names like Equal and Nutrasweet and found in thousands of products worldwide – from diet soft drinks and chewing gum to yoghurts, protein powders, and even medications.

While industry groups and manufacturers promote Aspartame as “safe,” independent research and decades of reported adverse reactions suggest a very different story.


A Troubled History of Approval

  • Aspartame was not approved until 1981 for use in dry foods.
  • For more than eight years, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) refused to approve it, citing evidence of seizures and brain tumours in lab animals.
  • The tide changed when President Ronald Reagan took office. His administration replaced the FDA Commissioner who had opposed approval with Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes, who pushed it through despite a Board of Inquiry stating: “Do not approve Aspartame.”
  • Shortly after approving its use in carbonated drinks, Dr. Hayes left his role for a position with Searle’s Public Relations firm.

This political manoeuvring raised serious concerns that corporate profits were placed ahead of public health.


Long-Term Health Damage

Aspartame doesn’t always cause immediate reactions. For many, the damage is slow, silent, and cumulative. Symptoms may appear after years of use — sometimes a decade or more. Research suggests that Aspartame can cause both reversible and irreversible changes in health over the long term.


Methanol: A Hidden Poison

Aspartame is made up of 10% methanol (wood alcohol) — a known poison.

  • Methanol is released in the small intestine when Aspartame is broken down.
  • When heated above 86°F (30°C) — for example, in stored diet drinks or heated foods — free methanol is released even faster.
  • Once inside the body, methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde.
  • Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin, linked to cancer, DNA damage, birth defects, and retinal degeneration.

A one-liter Aspartame-sweetened soft drink contains around 56 mg of methanol. Heavy consumers may ingest up to 250 mg daily – more than 32 times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended safe limit.


FDA Adverse Reaction Reports

By the FDA’s own records, Aspartame accounted for over 75% of all adverse reactions reported to its monitoring system in the 1990s. This included life-threatening reactions such as seizures and even death.

Yet fewer than 1% of people report symptoms to the FDA, meaning the real number of affected individuals is likely in the millions.


Documented Reactions to Aspartame

The following have been reported as side effects of Aspartame consumption:


  • Abdominal pain
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma & breathing difficulties
  • Bloating, edema (fluid retention)
  • Blood sugar imbalances (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia)
  • Brain cancer (in pre-approval studies)
  • Burning eyes, throat, or urination
  • Chest pains & chronic cough
  • Chronic fatigue & confusion
  • Depression & panic attacks
  • Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
  • Dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus
  • Excessive thirst or hunger
  • Hair loss or thinning
  • Headaches & migraines
  • Hearing loss
  • Heart palpitations & tachycardia
  • High blood pressure
  • Hives, rashes, itching
  • Impotence & sexual problems
  • Insomnia & irritability
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Memory loss & difficulty concentrating
  • Migraines triggered by chronic intake
  • Numbness or tingling of extremities
  • Seizures, tremors, convulsions
  • Slurred speech & swallowing difficulties
  • Vision loss or blurred vision
  • Weight gain

Aspartame Disease – Worsening of Chronic Conditions

Aspartame toxicity has been linked to worsening or mimicking the following diseases:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Lupus
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)
  • Diabetes complications
  • Epilepsy
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Birth defects
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Lymphoma
  • Lyme Disease
  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD / ADHD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Depression and other psychiatric conditions


How Aspartame Breaks Down in the Body


  • Methanol → Converts to formaldehyde → Converts to formic acid (toxic acid used in industrial stripping agents)
  • Phenylalanine & Aspartic Acid (90% of Aspartame) → Become neurotoxic when consumed unbalanced by other amino acids → Can cause brain disorders and developmental damage
  • DKP (Diketopiperazine) → A breakdown by-product associated with brain tumours


These toxic byproducts are particularly harmful when Aspartame is consumed on an empty stomach, as in diet drinks.

The Diet Myth

Ironically, despite being marketed as a “diet sweetener,” Aspartame is linked to:

  • Increased appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Insulin resistance
  • Metabolic syndrome

In other words, the very conditions it claims to prevent.

Independent Research vs. Industry Claims

While corporate studies claim Aspartame is safe, independent research consistently links it to chronic toxicity. Monsanto (the original patent holder) has long minimised reports by framing them as “allergic reactions.” In truth, Aspartame does not simply trigger allergies – it produces toxic reactions in a significant portion of the population.


What You Can Do

  1. Read labels carefully – Aspartame often hides in “sugar-free,” “light,” or “diet” products, including medications and vitamins.
  2. Try a 60-day no Aspartame test – Many report dramatic improvements in headaches, fatigue, mood, and digestive symptoms after eliminating it.
  3. Avoid similar artificial sweeteners – such as Acesulfame-K (Sunette), which may have similar risks.
  4. Spread awareness – Share your story if eliminating Aspartame helps you. Encourage family and friends to do the same.

Conclusion

Aspartame (E951) is not just a harmless sugar substitute – it is a toxic chemical compound that breaks down into dangerous byproducts including methanol, formaldehyde, and DKP. With decades of reports linking it to migraines, seizures, neurological decline, and worsening of chronic illnesses, it is clear that Aspartame poses serious health risks.



At Sensitivefoods, we specialise in identifying hidden food triggers like Aspartame that may be driving your symptoms. If you struggle with IBS, fatigue, headaches, or unexplained health issues, eliminating Aspartame may be the first step toward recovery.