Crystal Light, made by Kraft Foods, is a powdered drink mix that is dissolved in water to create a sweet, low-calorie refreshment. Though it is a popular way to increase the palatability of water to dieters, Crystal Light has faced controversy, especially in regard to its sweetener, NutraSweet. However, many of these allegations have remained unproven. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Ingredients in Crystal Light
Crystal Light has five calories per serving and contains no sugar. Most Crystal Light is sweetened with aspartame, also known as NutraSweet. It is also flavored with natural flavorings and citric acid for tartness. Crystal Light Lemonade, one of the most popular mixes, contains artificial color and Yellow 5 Lake for coloration. Other ingredients include anticaking and preservative agents.
Digestive Complications
When digested, aspartame breaks down into its three basic components: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. These components are found naturally in other foods as well. However, the chemical phenylalanine is dangerous for people with phenylketonuria, a genetic disease, and pregnant women with already-high levels of phenylalanine. For these people, the extraordinary amount of phenylalanine built up in the bloodstream can cause brain damage.
Appetite Increase
Recent studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners like aspartame can cause an increase in appetite; many consumers find that these sweeteners do not satisfy their hunger, and go on to eat sugary foods. A study by Swithers and Davidson (2004) suggests that artificial sweeteners may ruin the body's ability to estimate caloric content via taste. Other scientists believe that sweet tastes create cravings for more sweet tastes, even if the sweetener is artificial.
Crystal Light Energy
Kraft has begun producing a series of drinks called Crystal Light Energy. These products contain 7.5 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce. For people with caffeine sensitivities, this may be above the acceptable amount and can cause nervousness, irregular heartbeat and upset stomach. Caffeine has also been known to aggravate some heart conditions and may decrease bone calcium, especially in women. In addition, caffeinated beverages can become addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms when not taken.
Myths
The aspartame used in Crystal Light has been suggested as a cause for more serious health conditions. It has been proposed that such ailments as cancer, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors and birth defects are potentially caused by the use of aspartame. However, there has been no evidence to suggest any serious complications of using the sweetener, although headaches may occur in migraine sufferers. The FDA has approved aspartame for consumption, as have many other national regulatory bodies.
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