Aspartame

[September17]

Would be interested to hear if anyone thinks there is a connection with aspartame and AF? Diagnosed 6 months ago and still symptomatic despite being on apixaban and Sotalol. Drink a well known diet drink (no alcohol,) in evenings and could this be a trigger? Any thoughts please?

[Hidden]

Over the years, many have said there is a link and that it should be avoided which is not easy because it is a commonly used artificial sweetener.

[September17 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Flapjack for your very quick reply! Think my suspicions may be justified then, am willing to try anything to ease my symptoms.

P.s, My first post on AF forum.

[Hidden in reply to September17]

Well done!! 😉

[Hidden in reply to September17]

I only have it occasionally if im out but i have the full fat one because it only has sugar nothing artificial. But i have bad reflux and just discovered that gaviscon has aspartame in it so I've stopped it and gone back on lansoprazole. We are between the devil and the the deep blue sea with this condition.

[Finvola]

Hello and welcome! I agree with you about artificial sweeteners - disastrous for AF'ers and for health generally - especially aspartame, which I think is banned in some countries.

I avoid everything with artificial colours, sweeteners or flavourings - opting for sparkling water during the day and adding a small dash of elderflower cordial and lime in the evenings.

[September17 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you Finvola! Elderflower will be my choice from now.....🤞

[icklebud99 in reply to Finvola]

I love sparkling water but it is a trigger for me unfortunately.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had AF for 13 years now and artificial sweeteners are certainly a trigger for mine. I avoid them totally now.

My evidence story is long and I've repeated it on this forum a lot over the years. Trust me, for some people they are certainly a trigger.

Jean

[September17 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you jeanjeanie.....all making a lot of sense and making me feel such an idiot for drinking that rubbish.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to September17]

I was having it in my tea, what I thought were healthy fruit yogurts, diet lemonade and chewing gum to name just a few. Look at the label on everything from now on. I avoid any foods I haven't cooked myself.

[BobD Volunteer]

In my view yes. I call it the Devil's sperm!

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

........well then certainly to be avoided at all costs! Thanks BobD.

[Finvola in reply to BobD]

I remember an exchange between Paula Yates and Ian Hislop on Have I got News for You when she called him the sperm of the devil. Think he took it as a compliment!

[Hidden]

Where Hip17 came from bit of a mystery??

[researchx]

I was just reading a post on this in Medhelp forum from 2014 saying it was their trigger!it was called

I found my PVC cause and cured it.

brettfrable Feb 13, 2014

[September17 in reply to researchx]

Thank you researchx. Really think now there is a connection....no diet drinks yesterday, and no AF during night!

[researchx in reply to September17]

that's great! I wish you the best! I have pvcs/svt and am researching histamine.I read it can cause arrythmias.I am taking remeron which unwinds me and lets me sleep-also calmer the next day.Most of my issue is what is called anxiety,but I never look at it that wayIt just feels like it is hard to relax. A whole lifetime of this and now maybe getting some answers at age 59

[September17 in reply to researchx]

....interesting, and suppose better late than never.

[Ianc2 in reply to researchx]

I came back from a cruise with a very sore throat and was prescribed anti-histamines. Buried deep in the small print was a comment 'May cause palpitations'. To my great annoyance it did and AFIB returned.

[researchx in reply to Ianc2]

sorry to hear ands thanks for info-I think there are safe ones at least according to this everydayhealth.com/news/all... did yours have an additive like pseudoephedrine ?

[Ianc2 in reply to researchx]

I was so annoyed I checked the packet in the bin, so I cannot comment.

[Bagrat]

Aspartame has caused similar symptoms to MS for some people also. Like margarine it is to be avoided ( not suggesting marg a trigger just full of c**p)

[September17 in reply to Bagrat]

Thank you Bagrat....all these additives are bound to be impacting on our health.....reminds me of that wonderful quote "If I can't pronounce it I don't eat it!"

[Bagrat in reply to September17]

Unless it's quinoa!!

[September17 in reply to Bagrat]

😁

[BC10]

Yep. Cut it out and take a daily highish dose of magnesium and watch the AF go away.

[September17 in reply to BC10]

Thanks BC 10, I take BioCare Magnesium Taurate x2 a day.....may I ask what dose you take?

[KMRobbo]

yes, definitely - avoid. If you google aspartame and A fib or artificial sweeteners and Afib and you will find a number of articles/headlines.

for example

afibbers.org/atrial_fibrill...

I think Aspartame was the worst in that it occurs most frequently. Also beware as I think Aspartame is also Canderel one of the best know sweeteners for your your tea/coffee.

I was using this on a holiday in scotland where I forgot my sucralose. I got AFIB high rate on the way home and it would not stop - was in it for over 7 days until cardioverted by flecainide infusion in the CCU of my local hospital!. I do not totally blame the Aspartame as my AFIB had been getting more frequent previous to that , but having read the articles I doubt it helped!

I use sucralose with no issues, but beware all of them because with A FIB one mans meat can be another man's poison.

i stopped drinking low cal drinks/flavoured water owing to the sweeterners

[September17 in reply to KMRobbo]

Thank you so much KMRobbo for your detailed reply! This forum has been such a great support and help, it is so reassuring to know there is help out there!

[Becksagogo]

Aspartame is banned in many countries through out the world but not in the UK which speaks volumes! I have discovered a brand called Fever Tree (other brands are available) . They do a wicked ginger beer and various flavoured tonics and they don't use caffeine which is also widely used in soft drinks.

On a personal note is your user name September 17 anything to do with Arnhem Day?. My father was ex para and passed away on that day a few years ago which I have always thought fitting and well timed!

[September17 in reply to Becksagogo]

Thanks Becksagogo, will look forward to trying the products you have suggested!

My username not to do with Arnhem Day, was just the month and year I joined HU. Interesting though to hear your connection. Happier memories for me as it reminds me of my late parents, 17 Sep was their Wedding Anniversary.

[Pennie1958]

Sadly since the sugar tax, even the non diet stuff now has aspartame in.

[September17 in reply to Pennie1958]

Reading glasses at the ready then for the labels! 😁

[solarjdo69]

I work in an office where they supply free sodas, so I consumed 2-3 cans of "diet" coke with aspartame for about 6 months and had a bad AFIB attack that sent me to the hospital. I fully believe it was the aspartame that pushed my heart over the edge. I've read that it can take up to 6 months to fully remove it from your system. Here are some helpful informational links about this diabolical chemical. Good fortune to you.

draxe.com/aspartame/

livestrong.com/article/4895...

medium.com/@jpdv38/20-best-...

livestrong.com/article/3893...

thepopularman.com/aspartame...

naturallysavvy.com/general/...

medium.com/@jpdv38/20-best-...

[September17 in reply to solarjdo69]

My apologies, only seeing this now.......6 mths later!

All very interesting what you have said. Aspartame now totally off limits for me and my preferred tipple now is organic elderflower cordial with sparkling water. Elderflower now blooming and going to make my own cordial! Thank you for your reply, and all the useful links.

[daher]

Aspartame is poison , some countries have banned its use in diet soft drinks! Don't eat or drink anything with aspartame in it ! A great alternative is Stevia a natural product that has been used for hundreds of years ,it is completely safe. Use it like you would use sugar ,but it is 100 times a sweet so don't use too much . I have Afib and I believe Aspartame could be a trigger for Afib in some cases.

[September17 in reply to daher]

Thank you daher for your reply. I try to follow an additive free diet and avoid processed food. Following P.V.I in March I have not had an episode of Afib. I certainly would not want to jeopardize this by eating any rubbish and I also have zero alcohol and caffeine. Small price to pay for being given my life back! Best wishes to you.