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Make 2011 a year of healthy habits and a better lifestyle. Take the opportunity to try new sports, workouts or other activities. Make new goals and set a plan in place to achieve them. Find tips for living a healthier lifestyle. Join me to make 2011 your best year yet!!!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March 1 - Aspartame - What Is It?


NutraSweet® is the NutraSweet Company's brand name for the low-calorie sweetener aspartame. It is used to sweeten a variety of foods and beverages and is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.

Studies conducted with taste-test panels show that aspartame's taste is very similar to the taste of sugar. In addition, aspartame has the ability to intensify and extend fruit flavors, such as cherry, strawberry and citrus flavors such as orange, in foods and beverages. For example, aspartame makes chewing gum taste sweet and more flavorful longer than sugar-sweetened gum.

Aspartame (L-a aspartyl -L-phenylalanine methyl ester) was discovered in 1965. After more than 100 scientific studies were conducted and reviewed, it was granted approval for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1981.

First detail to note: it took FDA 16 years to be approved. Second detail to note: this chemical is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Third detail to note: this is not a natural substance. It's processed.

I will talk a lot about Aspartame and other chemical ingredients in the food we eat. But for now, your homework is to go through your cupboards and refrigerator and look for all products containing Aspartame. Over the next few days I will tell you why you should think twice before you eat them.

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