What gum has no sugar and no aspartame in it? I like chewing gum, but I am scared of what might happen to me?
2007-03-19 12:20:49 · 7 answers · asked by Lunda R 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
Aspartame was first made as an ant killer. We use it to kill ants. We sprinkle it on ant hills and mist with water. In 2 or 3 days the ants are gone. Inside we put it in a lid with a drop of water. Scary huh?
2007-03-19 12:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by thirsty mind 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Juicy Fruit with the long flat sicks used to have real sugar in it, but I think not anymore. Big Red still has sugar in it. From the studies I have read Aspartame is quite bad and was actually denied many time by the USDA before finally being approved by people who then mysteriously quit their jobs and moved to work for the makers of Aspartame. I think that every major brand of gum has it because Aspartame has a monopoly on all of the gum making companies. People don't care about their health so much as they care about not getting fat off of... one little piece of gum.???
Anyway since you are diabetic, you need sugar-free for health reasons. I've been to a few health food stores where they use sucralose or stevia (better than sucralose) in their gums. But I couldn't tell you the names of these gum, I just have seen them there at health food stores.
GOod Luck finding some gum!
2007-03-19 19:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be perfectly honest, there is no real consensus on this. Studies have proven it safe a thousand times over, and then another one is done 2 years later that claims it is harmful. And then the cycle repeats.
Also, some people are simply more "sensitive" to food additives. Whereas 90% of the population have no ill effects, 10% do. These people obviously should avoid these products.
It's also about moderation for those remaining 90%. Coca Cola for example is considered "safe" for consumption, but no one in their right mind would say it's GOOD for you. Have a can once a month and don't worry, just don't drink it 3x a day.
There is always the option of avoiding products that have aspartame if you wish. No one can force it on you.
For some with Type 2 diabetes who can't give up soda, aspartame is a blessing, since they can still have soda and not have high blood sugar levels. It's the lesser of the two evils, if you consider aspartame to be "bad".
I personally don't think we have 100% conclusive data either way. More than likely, it is safe in small amounts, but as I said, some may be sensitive to it or consume more than they should. I personally avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible, but I also like to eat very "clean" foods in their natural state overall.
That said, I wouldn't panic, but you could try your local health food store to see if they carry gum made with "Stevia", an all natural herbal no calorie sweetner. Or, if you carb count, count the carbs in regular gum and work it into your meal plan/match your insulin to it. I wouldn't worry too much about the aspartame in gum, but I'm not going to lie and say it is 100% safe or "healthy". We just don't know for certain, even if we *think* it is. Scientific opinions can change.
2007-03-20 05:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by reginachick22 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are gums that have sorbitol and/or xylitol instead of aspartame.
Studies are inconclusive as to whether aspartame is really bad for you at all, however. For every study that says it is, there are ones that "prove" it's not. Nobody knows for sure at this point, but I wouldn't worry too much about it, as tons of the stuff is consumed every day, and if it was REALLY bad for you, more people would be getting sick.
But switch over to something with sorbitol, xylitol, or sucralose, if it makes you feel better. Or, just eat the sugar and exercise and brush your teeth more.
2007-03-19 19:26:50 · answer #4 · answered by M W 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The anti-aspartame scares nearly all trace back to mad Nancy Markle also known as Betty Mancini.
It's all horse puckey. Or, in other words, a load of rubbish.
I've been drinking diet sodas for over five years now with no ill effects of any sort.
Do some googling, but start with Snopes in the source url
Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia
2007-03-19 19:36:36 · answer #5 · answered by Alan S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there is no real proof that it is good or bad. I have been told by many doctors it is safe. My childs doctor feeds her own children products with aspartame in them
2007-03-20 15:19:03 · answer #6 · answered by BAR 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's CHEAPER than sugar....
2007-03-19 19:29:56 · answer #7 · answered by squick24 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋