Big news about Diet Pepsi

PepsiCo recently announced that it will be removing the artificial sweetener aspartame from all of its Diet Pepsi products later this year.

A PepsiCo spokesperson said, “Diet cola drinkers in the US told us they wanted aspartame-free Diet Pepsi and we're delivering."

Whether this move is a reflection of the soda giant truly wanting to keep customers happy or merely a desire to deflect a growing barrage of concerns about the health dangers of aspartame use is a question in many minds.

Although the FDA and its worldwide counterparts have repeatedly declared aspartame safe for human consumption since 1981, its users have said otherwise.  Aspartame is the number one source of side-effect complaints to the FDA, with over 10,000 complaints filed and over 91 symptoms documented that are related to its consumption.

Keep in mind that the 10,000 number only represents people who have made the connection between their symptoms (which can include headaches, depression, high blood pressure and blindness) and aspartame use.  There are likely many more that are suffering and don’t realize why. 

Is the switch any better?

The aspartame is in Pepsi’s products is being replaced with a blend of two artificial sweeteners--sucralose (SplendaÒ) and acesulfame potassium.

Although the list of reported side effects associated with sucralose is not as long as aspartame’s, some of the most commonly reported sucralose-related health problems include:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Seizures, dizziness, and migraines
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reactions
• Blood sugar increases and weight gain

Plus studies have shown that when heated, sucralose releases chloropropanols, which belong to a class of toxins known as dioxins.  Dioxins are a waste product of incineration, smelting, chlorine bleaching, and pesticide manufacturing, and they have been linked to cancer and endocrine problems.

In addition, other studies have shown that sucralose destroys your friendly gut flora, where 70 percent of your immune system resides.

Acesulfame potassium (aka “Acesulfame-K” or "Ace-K") is a potassium salt containing methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.

Long-term exposure to methylene chloride can cause headaches, depression, nausea, mental confusion, liver effects, kidney effects, visual disturbances, and cancer in humans.

A little bit WILL hurt

Now, you may be thinking, “I only drink one diet soda a day.  The little bit of artificial sweetener I’m getting can’t be that bad.”

Tell me, exactly how much of a poison and potential cancer causer is safe and OK?

Plus keep in mind that many toxins can burrow themselves into your fat cells, accumulate over time and become more concentrated (and deadly)—so you may have far more of them residing in you than you think.

In addition, diet soda is by far NOT the only source of these toxins. 

They’re also in many coffee and tea drinks, sugar-free hot cocoa, chewing gum, fat-free salad dressing, Crystal LightÒ, sugar-free candy and ice cream, multi-vitamins, cough syrup, and most products labeled "light," "zero," or “sugar-free.”

Life after diet soda

If you’ve gotten the idea that artificial sweeteners are best avoided, you’re right on!

But don’t worry.  There is life after diet soda (and artificial sweeteners in general).

Better, healthier alternatives are iced herbal teas, water (or club soda if you want the fizz) with a splash of fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice and fresh vegetable juices. 

If you want to use a non-calorie sweetener, try using Stevia—it’s been around for centuries.  Just look for organic, minimally processed brands.

In addition to avoiding artificial sweeteners, the best way to help your body recover from the health toll they may have already taken on you is to have a diet of real foods that nourish your body.

When you eat real foods that your body can digest well, your body gets the nutrients it needs, which helps keep you feeling satisfied and FAR less likely to snack or overeat.

Plus your elimination channels (liver, kidneys and colon) will be better able to detoxify your body without the undue strain from artificial sweeteners.

Great Taste No Pain Health System

The Great Taste No Pain Health System can help make your “artificial sweetener recovery” easy and delicious for you. 

Great Taste No Pain gives you a collection of scrumptious recipes featuring good-for-you foods that are so delicious, you just might find yourself losing your taste for junk and artificial sweeteners!

And you’ll learn what foods digest more easily together (and which ones don't) to help curb digestive troubles.

Note: if you've got gluten issues, Great Taste No Gluten is for you instead.

Remember your intestinal flora too

If you've been using artificial sweeteners for a while, chances are excellent that your friendly gut flora has taken a hit...and that can lead to weakened immune functioning, gas, bloating and constipation.

Eating nutritious foods that feed your friendly flora (including fresh vegetables and yogurt) is a good start.  But for many, it’s not enough.

So when you supplement your diet with a high-quality probiotic formula, it helps restore AND maintain a proper population of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula was formulated for tough jobs like this. 

Super Shield contains 13 top-notch strains of beneficial bacteria that are eager and ready to take their place along your intestinal wall, help fight off infections, encourage more regular BMs and help keep your immune system in tip-top shape!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia

Follow me on Twitter @sherry_brescia and Instagram @sherrybrescia