New Diet Coke Ad Praises Aspartame: Is it Really Safe?

Despite the rumors that aspartame causes cancer or Phenylketonuria, rest assured, the Coca-Cola Company says not to worry.

Of course this has nothing to do with a drop in purchases of a refreshing Diet Coke, since the bittery-sweet beverage first made its debut in 1983 when the controversial artificial sweetner hit the United States.

The company has launched a new advertisement campaign to run nationally in the print edition of USA Today in the Atlanta region today and then in the Atlantic Journal Constitution, according to spokesman Ben Sheidler, via ABC News. The add is titled "Quality Products You Can Always Feel Good About," and will discuss both the fun and safe aspects of the artificial sweetner that got it's start from the Atlanta company.

"Time and again, these low- and no-calorie sweeteners have shown to be safe, high-quality alternatives to sugar," the ad notes. "In fact, the safety of aspartame is supported by more than 200 studies over the last 40 years."

He also adds that low-calorie or no-calorie sweetners can help you lose weight.

That's funny. Didn't I JUST read a study the other day saying the opposite? In fact, according to a recent article published in the Trends of Endrocrinology & Metabolism, study findings suggest that regular consumption of artificial sweetners can create an abnormal activation pattern in the pleasure center of the brain, changing the experience of receiving a sweet food and not satisfying the regular desire that could cause weight gain!

But then again, you can't believe everything you hear.

Coca-Cola first made its debut back in 1886 thanks to Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta. He allegedly concocted the formula in a three legged brass kettle right in his backyard, with a name suggestion from his bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, according to various historical accounts.