Okay. There is plenty of talk about Aspartame on Mumsnet and in real life. And it strikes me that as a general rule, on Mumsnet, the majority of debates about topics tend to get met with demands for evidence. If someone makes a statement for instance that "home birth is dangerous", generally someone will demand to see the evidence, based on controlled studies and research, and statistics where appropriate, to prove that statement.
When it comes to food and what is safe or not, I generally like to use official, regulated sources for my information - for instance to research what I should or shouldn't have during pregnancy. I am no slave to government guidelines either, but I am aware that you have to take with a grain of salt the information you can see on the internet that is "unofficial" - i.e, anecdotal, based on uncontrolled studies, or just general opinion, speculation, or even personal theory. Whilst it shouldn't necessarily be instantly disregarded, as I do have an open mind, nor should it be swallowed at face value without further research and thought.
When I first heard things about Aspartame, I researched what it was, where it was found, and whether it was safe. I found plenty of information saying really quite scary things about it, that it causes MS, brain tumors, and many undesirable but less serious things. But I was unable to find any evidence based research to say it was unsafe. Official sources of information like the Food Standards Agency, WHO, and the GMO, all stated that it was safe.
Whilst I acknowledge that aspartame isn't "healthy" as such, I wouldn't say refined white sugar is either - but, like refined white sugar, if consumed in moderation as part of an otherwise balanced diet, I dont at this point see the problem with that.
I am yet to be convinced that aspartame is unsafe. To do so, I will need to see proper evidence based research that concludes that it is unsafe. Not conspiracy theories off the internet, not anecdotes from websites with names like "my wellness revolution" and "purelifestyle" etc, not anecdotes of loopy behaviour (this in itself makes an ingredient undesirable, but not unsafe).
IABU for not accepting this increasingly popular opinion without further evidence? Does anyone else feel the same way, and is anyone brave enough to admit it?