Brain Food? Far From It

Who would want to consume something that is detrimental to their brain? It is the focal point of what makes us, well, us. Would you want to screw up such an important organ?

 SO WHY ARE WE CONSUMING NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENERS?!

According to a study published in Physiology and Behavior, non-nutritive sweeteners have some serious neurological side effects. The study focused primarily on the altered processing of the "sweet taste" in the brain associated with consuming diet soda. When we eat something sweet, our body releases a hormone known as dopamine, which gives us a sense of reward and satisfaction. These non-nutritive sweeteners, primarily aspartame, were shown to hinder dopamine release within the brain which would lead to lack of satisfaction and cravings to consume more sweet things.

Continuing with the subject of aspartame, let's talk about how it breaks down into Aspartic Acid, Methanol, and Phenylalanine within our body.

Aspartic acid has been found to excite brain cells and neurons to the point of exhaustion and/or death within the brain. It has also been linked hyperactivity in children.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a very poisonous substance. It is known to cause blindness and cellular death within the brain and spinal cord.

Phenylalanine is an amino acid already found in the brain. Consistent consumption of aspartame has been proven to show very increased levels of phenylalanine in the blood stream. Having an excess amount of phenylalanine can cause a decrease in serotonin production, causing drastic emotional and mood disorders, such as depression.

Sources:
Green, Erin and Claire Murphy. Nov 2012. "Altered processing of sweet taste in brain of diet soda drinkers." Physiology and Behavior. 107(4):560-567

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx

Sources for photos found via Google:
www.sodahead.com
www.gamebanana.com