Even the beverages you consume can make your RA flare. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that's used in sodas, drinks, and some desserts, but may worsen RA symptoms. Replace diet drinks with fruit- or veggie-infused water and sparkling water.
Sweeteners like aspartame are marketed to those who are trying to live a sugar-free life. However, artificial sweeteners may cause your body to react with an inflammatory response to this ingredient. Avoid diet sodas and other sugar-free products that could trigger inflammation and lead to more painful joints.
Because our bodies are not designed to process (digest) artificial ingredients, artificial sweeteners like aspartame can trigger an immune response causing inflammation, which can cause allergy.
Dozens of studies have linked the artificial sweetener aspartame to serious health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, seizures, stroke and dementia, as well as negative effects such as intestinal dysbiosis, mood disorders, headaches and migraines.
You may also suffer headaches if you are sensitive to one or more artificial sweeteners in your food. Glutamate is one of the byproducts of aspartame, which can trigger severe headaches in some people.
Aspartame-induced fibromyalgia, an unusual but curable cause of chronic pain. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2010;28(6 Suppl 63):S131-3. One study suggested that both aspartame and the flavor-enhancer MSG, which also promotes inflammation, may contribute to fibromyalgia and irritable bowel symptoms in people with both conditions.
Aspartame (α-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine-o-methyl ester), an artificial sweetener, has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems. Possible neurophysiological symptoms include learning problems, headache, seizure, migraines, irritable moods, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Taking pain relievers, getting good rest, and staying hydrated with water can help to take the edge off while you rid your body of aspartame.
In the body, aspartame is transformed into phenylalanine (Phy), aspartic acid and methanol. These metabolites can affect the neurochemical state of the brain and influence the level of neurotransmitters [12].
Agave. This liquid sweetener comes from the cactus-like agave plant. Its nectar is processed into syrup, which contains 20 calories per teaspoon. Pros: Agave is lower on the glycemic index than other sweeteners, which means it doesn't make blood sugar spike as high.
People with arthritis can try eating a nutritious diet, cutting down on sugary, processed foods, and maintaining a moderate weight. This may improve their symptoms, helping them to live a more comfortable and active life.
Past research has already connected drinking soda every day with higher risk for obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Now a new study finds that it may be linked to higher risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well.
PURE MAPLE SYRUP
It's easy on the liver because of its low glycemic index score, and also has the potential to reduce inflammation in the body. We all know about inflammation and its harmful effects on the body and this bonus makes pure maple syrup one of my top picks as a sugar substitute.
Because honey and cinnamon have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, they may also be able to help people with arthritis.
In the European Union, because they are a source of phenylalanine, all products containing aspartame must be labelled “Contains a source of phenylalanine”.
So, for most people, natural sugars are a far better alternative to either artificial sweeteners or regular table sugar. For people living with diabetes or prediabetes, though, you still need to go easy on some natural sugars.
While both Coca-Cola Zero and Diet Coke contain the same sweeteners (a blend of aspartame and acesulfame-potassium or Ace-K) and contain zero calories, Coca-Cola Zero uses a different flavour base and delivers the great taste of Coca-Cola with zero sugar.
According to the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine review of the scientific literature, “consensus from interventional studies suggests that artificial sweeteners do not help reduce weight when used alone.” Some studies also suggest that artificial sweeteners increase appetite, which may promote weight gain.
“Stevia leaf extract is safer than many other sugar substitutes, especially aspartame and sucralose,” Lefferts says. Research has linked sucralose, aspartame, and saccharin with cancers. That said, there is still a need for more research around stevia.
A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in an FDA report as being caused by aspartame include: headaches, migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, ...
The FDA has established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame of 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) per day. The EFSA has established a slightly lower ADI of 40 mg/kg per day.
If people have a condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), high levels of aspartame may be toxic for them. This is because aspartame contains an amino acid called phenylalanine. People with phenylketonuria have a rare genetic disorder that means they cannot break down phenylalanine properly.
Aspartame induced neurotoxic effects and ultrastructural changes in the sciatic nerve mainly affecting myelin sheath in the form of separation of myelin lamellae, focal loss of compact lamellar structure (splitting of myeline sheath) and separation of myelin sheathes from the axons at some sites.