Sadly today the majority of common chewing gum brands use two extremely hazardous sweeteners- aspartame and sucralose.
When aspartame and sucralose are heated to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (human mouth = 98.6 F) they release free methanol that breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body.
- Modern methanol is produced in a catalytic industrial process directly from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.
- Highly toxic and unfit for consumption
- At room temperature, it is a polar liquid, and is used as an antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol. It is also used for producing biodiesel.
What is formic acid?
- Found in the venom of ants
- A major use of formic acid is as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed
- Used in the production of leather and rubber
- Used as limescale remover and toilet bowl cleaner
- Effective in the removal of warts
What is formaldehyde?
- Formaldehyde is highly toxic to all animals, regardless of method of intake
- In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen"
- Used to make fabrics crease-resistant
- Used to make components for the transmission, electrical system, engine block, door panels, axles and brake shoes
- Embalming agent (Ever dissected a frog, pig, or cat in high school? Well that pungent, eye burning, throat scratching odor was formaldehyde!)
When aspartame is absorbed by the buccal mucosa of the mouth, tongue and gums it is a far worse poisoning than if injected intravenously because it goes directly to the brain by passing the spinal cord and the blood-brain barrier. Aspartame then begins to destroy neurons. Seventy-five percent or more of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are destroyed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. Some illnesses that may be linked to long term exposure to excitatory amino acid damage include:
- MS
- ALS
- Memory Loss
- Hormonal Problems
- Hearing Loss
- Epilepsy
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Parkinson's Disease
- Hypoglycemia
- AIDS
- Dementia
- Brain Lesions
- Neuroendocrine Disorders
The saddest part about this is that Monsanto, the creator of Aspartame, is allegedly aware of its dangers. Monsanto funds the American Diabetics Association, the Conference of the American College of Physicians and Congress. According to Business Week, Monsanto recently spent $2 million dollars fighting the U.S. government to sweep their actions under the rug. Numerous bills that have attempted to educate people about aspartame's toxicity have been squashed by chemical lobbyists. 
If you're planning on avoiding aspartame keep in mind that is can be found in a host of other products besides chewing gum, since it is a common ingredient in packaged foods and beverages marketed as "sugar-free" or "low-calorie".
Next time you are in the check-out line at a grocery store count how many gum and candy products contain aspartame and sucralose.
*Information derived from Marco Torres of the Waking Times
*Information derived from "The Dangers of Aspartame" by Kristin Cavallari on KristinCav
*Information derived from methanol, formic acid, and formaldehyde
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