Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch Pexels Logo Photo: Polina Tankilevitch

Does aspartame stay in your body forever?

The methyl group from the modified phenylalanine is released in the gut to form methanol. The methanol is also absorbed by the body. The effects in the body are lasting as long as you continue to consume products that contain aspartame.

healthieruny.com - What Are the Symptoms of Aspartame Withdrawal and How Do You ...
Why am I eating 2000 calories and not losing weight?
Why am I eating 2000 calories and not losing weight?

This is called a weight loss plateau. The initial weight loss is usually just water weight and not fat loss. The plateau is caused by loss of...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 9, 2020
What are the benefits of fat burners?
What are the benefits of fat burners?

Fat burners can help enhance fat loss, but they're only supporting when you have a proper diet is in place. Fat burners work in a variety of ways,...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 19, 2019

"The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition."

You’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle. You may already be avoiding most pleasures — sugar, empty carbs, lattes — but what about the substitutions for those treats?

Aspartame is a common sugar substitute, and it may be hiding in many of your foods and drinks. If you’re trying to cut out aspartame and worried about aspartame withdrawal, you’ve come to the right place. We outline all you need to know about this sneaky enemy to your health, what to expect during aspartame withdrawal, and how to not let it beat you.

Table of Contents

What Is Aspartame?

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. You may have seen it branded as NutraSweet® or Equal®.  Since the early 1980s, consumers have been fooled into believing that aspartame is a healthier alternative as it is a low-calorie sweetener with a much sweeter taste than sugar (about 200 times sweeter).

Where Is Aspartame Found?

Aspartame is commonly used:

As a tabletop sweetener

As a sweetener in store-bought foods and beverages

In some medications; and

In recipes that don’t require too much heating (heat breaks down aspartame)

A few common products include:

Sodas

Breakfast cereals

Gelatin

Chewing gum

Ice cream

Sugar-free cocoa mix

Cough drops

Gummy vitamins; and

Many prepared foods and drinks (labeled as “diet” or “sugar-free”)  It’s no wonder why so many people struggle with aspartame withdrawal. Nutrition Response Testing for aspartame withdrawal symptoms can help you pinpoint how your body responds to aspartame and other additives as it can help solve many health issues that artificial sweeteners can cause.

How Does the Body Get Rid of Aspartame?

Aspartame is broken down in your gut to aspartic acid and phenylalanine. These are absorbed and then enter your body.  The methyl group from the modified phenylalanine is released in the gut to form methanol. The methanol is also absorbed by the body. The effects in the body are lasting as long as you continue to consume products that contain aspartame. Withdrawal symptoms are real, so it can be difficult to cut out of your diet.

What Happens When You Stop Using Artificial Sweeteners?

Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners can alter your brain chemistry — causing dependency. Chemically speaking, aspartame has addictive properties because it affects dopamine in the brain. Aspartame addiction withdrawal can stop you in your tracks and get in the way of your day-to-day life, causing a multitude of unpleasant symptoms.

Are There Withdrawal Symptoms From Aspartame?

Because aspartame causes a dependency, if you try to remove it from your diet, you’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.

Want to know if you are addicted to aspartame?

Simple ...

Cut it out of your diet. If you experience aspartame withdrawal systems, your body (and brain) are dependent on the sweetener.

What Are the Symptoms of Aspartame Withdrawal?

The most common aspartame withdrawal symptoms include:

Headache

How do you fix apron belly after C-section?
How do you fix apron belly after C-section?

It's impossible to spot treat an apron belly. The only ways to reduce one are through overall weight reduction and surgical/non-surgical options....

Read More »
Last updated Apr 17, 2019
Does toothpaste help burns?
Does toothpaste help burns?

Putting toothpaste on burns or open wounds does not keep the wound clean like it does your mouth. Not only does the head of the toothbrush touch...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 26, 2019

Anxiety

Muscle pain

Nausea

Mood swings

Digestive issues

Skin concerns

Eye problems

Cognitive symptoms

Let’s dive into a few and look at how these symptoms can affect your daily life, how long they may last, and if there’s anything you can do to lessen the effects.

3 Aspartame Withdrawal Symptom Influencers

Time Span of Consumption

Have you been consuming aspartame for many years? Big soda drinker?

If you have been drinking sodas or consuming aspartame for many years, you are likely to have more severe and even longer aspartame withdrawal symptoms than someone who has a random can of soda from time to time.

Amount Consumed Daily

Sticking with the soda example, the average carbonated drink has 180 mg of aspartame. If you drink several per day, you may experience more significant aspartame withdrawal symptoms than someone who consumes aspartame by way of chewing gum, which has only 6 to 8 mg per stick.

Individual Physiology

Your individual makeup and circumstances greatly affect how aspartame withdrawal symptoms can affect you. Some people naturally have an easier time coping with the cravings of withdrawal while others struggle daily. Even your nervous system may recover at a quicker rate than that of others. Certain medications or other addictions play a role in withdrawal severity as well.  If you’re seeking the help from a professional, your symptoms’ severity and length can be greatly lessened. You can schedule a free consultation with HealthierU today and be on your way to an aspartame-free body while getting the relief you need from aspartame withdrawal.

7 Common Aspartame Withdrawal Symptoms

There are many not-so-fun things on the full aspartame withdrawal symptoms list. Let’s take a look at seven common ones.  If you’re experiencing any of these, you may be a great candidate for Nutrition Response Testing. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Anxiety

There are many food and drink additives that are linked to anxiety (and mood swings that we’ll get into further down):

Food coloring

Dyes

MSG

High fructose corn syrup; and

Aspartame

Ingesting aspartame can lead to anxiety, and detoxing from aspartame (aspartame withdrawal) can lead to anxiety. If you’re consuming or trying to rid your body of aspartame, you may have to deal with anxiety. The same reason that aspartame becomes addictive is the reason why it causes anxiety. It all has to do with the brain and the nervous system.  Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame are neurotoxins that can disrupt normal function, leading to increased symptoms of anxiety. Take it away, and it can even increase that anxiety.

Headaches

Quitting aspartame (and caffeine, if quitting sodas) can lead to headaches and migraines for many people.  Insomnia can be another symptom of aspartame withdrawal, which can also lead to headaches. 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.

Mood Swings

When you remove aspartame from your diet, you may experience mood swings — ranging from happiness to sadness to even depression. Aspartame withdrawal can even lead to panic attacks, which cause thoughts of fear along with excessive perspiration and a rapid heartbeat.

Why do warts turn black with apple cider vinegar?
Why do warts turn black with apple cider vinegar?

Some people may leave it on for up to 24 hours. Replace the cotton ball with a fresh one dipped in apple cider vinegar each night. The wart may...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 22, 2020
Can drinking water flush the caffeine out?
Can drinking water flush the caffeine out?

An effective way to get rid of your jitters is to flush out your system with water. Drinking water will decrease the effects of caffeine in a...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 21, 2022

Concentration

Feeling mentally foggy during aspartame withdrawal is a common symptom for many.

However, it’s important to note that once you complete your detox, most people report that they have an increase in concentration and less deficits in attention and hyperactivity.

Weight Changes

If you’ve been going the diet soda route to try to lose weight, you might have noticed that it could be having the opposite effect.

Aspartame (while consuming and detoxing) can influence food cravings and hunger.

You may even find that you lose more weight when coming off of aspartame.

Sleep Changes

Aspartame withdrawal can cause changes to your sleep cycle. If you’re also cutting caffeine, your sleep can be impacted even more.

This symptom should thankfully subside in a week or two of detox.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

When going through aspartame withdrawal, people often experience gastrointestinal issues.

This may include:

Upset stomach

Abdominal pain

Painful swallowing; and

Diarrhea (even bloody)

How Can Aspartame Withdrawal Cause Diarrhea?

Consuming or trying to detox from aspartame can cause diarrhea.

As with any sugar substitute, aspartame can cause laxative effects because many people have problems properly digesting them. When aspartame is paired with certain foods or drinks, it can cause even greater negative withdrawal symptoms. For instance, adding aspartame to your coffee may send you to the bathroom faster than you can say, “Nutritional Response Testing please!”

Fatigue

Aspartame can affect your energy levels. And quitting may leave you feeling fatigued — even lethargic.  Consuming aspartame can cause many people to have increased energy levels (even though those increases can lead to crashes), so it stands to reason that aspartame withdrawal can cause fatigue.

Aspartame Withdrawal Symptoms: How Long Can You Expect Them to Last?

It can take 14-30 days to get through the often debilitating symptoms of aspartame withdrawal.

If you’ve been …

Consuming aspartame for a long time

Consuming a lot each day; or

Trying to quit cold turkey with no help

… your aspartame withdrawal symptoms can last even longer.

Natural Aspartame Alternatives

You know by now that aspartame is bad for your health.

But before you jump back over to sugar — which is high in calories and has zero nutritional value — consider natural alternatives. Instead of aspartame, try one of these to sweeten your foods or drinks with:

Allulose

Stevia leaves

Monk fruit

Honey

Agave nectar

Date sugar

While natural alternatives to aspartame are a better option, they can have a higher calorie count (and also little to no nutritional value), so you should still consume them in limited quantities.  You can also consider using fresh fruits or spices (and even vegetables) to add a bit of sweetness to your foods and drinks.

These are great natural alternatives to sugar or sugar substitutes:

Carrots

Sweet potatoes

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

How Nutrition Response Testing With HealthierU Can Help You Overcome Aspartame Withdrawal

healthieruny.com - What Are the Symptoms of Aspartame Withdrawal and How Do You ...
What are the benefits of going commando?
What are the benefits of going commando?

3 Benefits of Going Commando It's More Comfortable. A recent survey found that comfort is the #1 reason to opt out of underwear. ... It Can Boost...

Read More »
Last updated May 8, 2019
How do I put my body in fat burning mode?
How do I put my body in fat burning mode?

12 Ways to Promote Long-Term Fat Loss Start strength training. ... Follow a high protein diet. ... Get more sleep. ... Eat more healthy fats. ......

Read More »
Last updated Jul 7, 2022
Why not to get a tummy tuck?
Why not to get a tummy tuck?

Like any other type of major surgery, a tummy tuck poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. ... A tummy tuck...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 14, 2022
What is the morning trick to lose weight?
What is the morning trick to lose weight?

Drink a Glass (or 2) of Water One or two glasses of plain H2O before you eat breakfast may help you lose weight. Water has no calories, but it's...

Read More »
Last updated Feb 11, 2020