Equal is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners on the market today. But, many people have reservations about using it because they don't know if it's safe or not. Some say that equal can cause cancer and other health problems, while others swear by its quality as a sugar substitute. So, what's the truth? The answer may surprise you.
What is Equal?
Before we dive into whether Equal is safe or not, let's first define exactly what it is.
Equal or Aspartame (its scientific name) is an artificial sweetener that was first discovered in 1965 by a professor named James M. Schlatter who worked at G.D Searle & Company (Now owned by Monsanto). This substance was mistakenly created when Chemist Schlatter was trying to find a medication drug for ulcers.
Despite its accidental origin, Aspartame became known as a low-calorie sugar substitute in both food and drink products due to its sweetness being up to 200 times more potent than natural table sugar-Which means small quantities are needed compared with your average table spoon quantity of regular granulated sugar.
How Does It Work?
When ingesting equal/aspartame substance enters our bodies undigested which prevents blood glucose from spiking causing no insulin spikes also meaning NO stored fat! And for individuals conscious about their dietary intake/don’t want any additional weight gain this could actually seem like heaven but … hold on.. there’s always two sides of every coin!
Metabolism
It Isn’t all fun and games when it comes down to metabolism – Approximately10% of “aspartic acid”(one-third of equal compound) transforms into phenylalanine when inside human body hence making this nature-made protein necessary so breaking it down would be ideal but some rare cases arise where humans unable digest/use phenylalanine.
(Staple macronutrient necessary needed for individuals to advance growth and development also available in other assorted food sources.)
What are the Benefits of Using Equal?
Equal is 200 times sweeter than sugar, which means you can use a lot less than you would with regular table sugar. According to research by the World Health Organization (WHO), using low-calorie sweeteners like Aspartame as substitutes can help people lose weight/attain their ideal body size.
Also, people living with diabetes who need guidance managing blood glucose levels / just want an option to typical granulated corn syrup-like substances have found that switch out usage of normal table sugars and artificial dietary supplements for equal has helped moderate daily glycaemic spikes but we’d still advise consulting accredited health professionals before switching any medication!
What are the Risks Involved?
It's essential always remember even the most fancied crafted products come along with side effects:
Headaches
One of the main concerns about Equal is that it causes headaches or migraines if consumed in high dosages . This happens because aspartame affects serotonin receptor sites in our brains altering hormone balance within triggers many functions inside our body one being pain signals/sensitivity.
Weight Gain
As discussed earlier due its technical composition ingesting equal/aspartame WILL NOT spark insulin spikes thus no sudden onset cravings however experts say there’s been some cases where users crave carbohydrates over extensive periods equivalently leading up to calorie increment causing unwanted pounds.
Cancer Concerns
There have been many rumors circulating online stating how consuming products containing Aspartame could lead a higher chance developing cancer (especially Brain). Scientific evidence indicates there isnt enough backing research though scientific literature suggests if consumed immoderately/ irresponsibly highly doses tracings of formaldehyde metabolic compound accrue - Formaldehyde although responsible used preserving organs etc considered chemical inherently toxic to individuals consuming certain amounts.
It's worth noting the quantity in Even in worst case scenarios such as extreme doses is actually still 70 times lower than permissible estimated intake!
Is Equal Safe for your Health?
If used safely, within moderation and with licensed professional's advise.. Equal/Aspartame present no real risk to our overall wellbeing. However, it’s important to make substantial decisions when incorporating artificial sweeteners like Equal into one’s diet and leave consumption advice up to medical professionals!