# Which diet drinks DON'T have aspartame? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 26, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249 "2006-09-26T19:15:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/1 "2006-09-26T19:15:02Z")
I’m not allowed to have aspartame any more because of high blood pressure, but I hate the taste of regular pop (too sweet). Which diet drinks are sweetened with splenda? ---
**Author:** ![FormerMarineGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/65b543/32.png) [@FormerMarineGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FormerMarineGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/2 "2006-09-26T19:28:42Z")
It seems Diet Rite does not have aspartame. There are way too many sites to list links to, but you can check out [google](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLH,GGLH:1969-53,GGLH:en&q=%22without+aspartame%22+diet+rite) , which lists a few links. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/3 "2006-09-26T19:50:06Z")
Coke came out with a Diet Coke with Splenda (different from regular Diet Coke). Not sure how widely it is available, but I think you can get it at Wal-Mart. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/4 "2006-09-26T19:50:39Z")
There is a newer version of Diet Coke made with Splenda - the label looks a little different and it says “Diet Coke with Splenda” (imagine that!) I heard that it might be discontinued, but I still see it in stores. Diet Rite sodas have splenda too as MarineGuy mentioned, I remember drinking them when I was pregnant and avoiding aspartame and caffeine. They have quite a few flavors. Splenda or aspartame is usually one of the first ingredients listed on the bottle so it’s easy to check for. Pepsi One is another one. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/5 "2006-09-26T19:52:07Z")
Here’s a blog on the subject: [http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/26/182550.php](http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/26/182550.php) ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/6 "2006-09-26T19:52:15Z")
[QUOTE=FormerMarineGuy] It seems Diet Rite does not have aspartame. There are way too many sites to list links to, but you can check out [google](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLH,GGLH:1969-53,GGLH:en&q=%22without+aspartame%22+diet+rite) , which lists a few links. [/QUOTE] I don’t think we have Diet Rite in Canada… ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/7 "2006-09-26T19:54:14Z")
Humm - Pepsi One - I do loves me some diet Pepsi… _All I wanted was a Pepsi!_[/Suicidal Tendencies] ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/8 "2006-09-26T20:11:12Z")
Has a doctor told you Aspartame contributes to high blood pressure. The only places online I found that were on kook websites. However, IANAD, so take that with a grain of salt (probably a safe amount in your case). ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/9 "2006-09-26T20:30:17Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Here’s a blog on the subject: [http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/26/182550.php](http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/26/182550.php) [/QUOTE] From that article: > [@](#): > > Previous versions of Diet Coke and Pepsi used Aspartame. Aspartame is a known cancer-causing agent. There goes _its_ credibility. I also am very skeptical about the link that the OP heard between aspartame and high blood pressure. Can anyone find a credible cite for either claim? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/10 "2006-09-26T20:47:20Z")
[QUOTE=CurtC] From that article: There goes _its_ credibility. I also am very skeptical about the link that the OP heard between aspartame and high blood pressure. Can anyone find a credible cite for either claim? [/QUOTE] Seems like just the opposite: [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/4/721](http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/4/721) …"Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased in the sucrose group (by 3.8 and 4.1 mm Hg, respectively) and decreased in the sweetener group (by 3.1 and 1.2 mm Hg, respectively). Conclusions: Overweight subjects who consumed fairly large amounts of sucrose (28% of energy), mostly as beverages, had increased energy intake, body weight, fat mass, and blood pressure after 10 wk. These effects were not observed in a similar group of subjects who consumed artificial sweeteners. " [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/65/4/908](http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/65/4/908) [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/51/3/428](http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/51/3/428) [http://www.springerlink.com/content/l148w94568vt33hw/](http://www.springerlink.com/content/l148w94568vt33hw/) Weird cite: > **[Checking your browser - reCAPTCHA](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6621655/?dopt=Citation)** “High doses of aspartame reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.” It’s _possible_ that “high fructose corn syrup” might lead to more weight gain: [http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/5/911](http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/5/911) \*The data in humans are less clear. Although there are existing data on the metabolic and endocrine effects of dietary fructose that suggest that increased consumption of fructose may be detrimental in terms of body weight and adiposity and the metabolic indexes associated with the insulin resistance syndrome, much more research is needed to fully understand the metabolic effect of dietary fructose in humans. \* Re cancer: [http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/abstract/52/2/92](http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/abstract/52/2/92) (you dudes likely can’t get this article) ".. _Aspartame Does aspartame cause cancer? … Current evidence does not demonstrate any link between aspartame ingestion and increased cancer risk. … "_ \*\* PDF\*\* [http://www.jncicancerspectrum.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jnci%3B89/14/1072.pdf](http://www.jncicancerspectrum.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jnci%3b89/14/1072.pdf) [http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/10/1460](http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/10/1460) _"These articles included ‘first generation’ sweeteners such as saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame, as well as ‘new generation’ sweeteners such as acesulfame-K, sucralose, alitame and neotame. Epidemiological studies in humans did not find the bladder cancer-inducing effects of saccharin and cyclamate that had been reported from animal studies in rats. Despite some rather unscientific assumptions, there is no evidence that aspartame is carcinogenic. Case–control studies showed an elevated relative risk of 1.3 for heavy artificial sweetener use (no specific substances specified) of \>1.7 g/day. For new generation sweeteners, it is too early to establish any epidemiological evidence about possible carcinogenic risks. As many artificial sweeteners are combined in today’s products, the carcinogenic risk of a single substance is difficult to assess. However, according to the current literature, the possible risk of artificial sweeteners to induce cancer seems to be negligible. "_ Thus, it _seems_ scares are just that- scare tactics. **CurtC** - I gave the blog as it tested the beverages _for taste_, not for its medical relevance. I concede it has little credence there. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/11 "2006-09-26T20:52:11Z")
Jones diet sodas are made with Splenda, but they’re not all that widely available. The carry them at Target around here, and Starbucks and some chain sandwich places (like Panera, I think) sell them too. Most kool-aid still comes unsweetened in packets. You could buy some of that and use splenda to sweeten it. Or, get some sugar free syrups, like DaVinci or Torani. Those are made with Splenda, come in tons of flavors, and are good in club soda. [www.syrup2u.com](http://www.syrup2u.com) carry both brands, otherwise they can be hard to come by in most flavors. Some grocery stores will sell a few (look near the coffee), though. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/12 "2006-09-26T20:55:44Z")
Am I right that you’re basically choosing between aspartame and sucralose, yes? ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/13 "2006-09-26T22:50:46Z")
Yes, but the sucralose tastes a lot better IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/14 "2006-09-26T23:31:39Z")
[QUOTE=Earl Snake-Hips Tucker] Has a doctor told you Aspartame contributes to high blood pressure. [/QUOTE] Yes, my physician has advised me that _sodium_ aspartame does indeed contribute to high blood pressure and has advised me to cut it out. She’s also advised me to cut out salt. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/15 "2006-09-26T23:48:04Z")
Sorry to carry on with the hijack, but this is GQ after all. I think that, as much as possible, if there’s an opportunity to set the record straight about _factual_ matters, we really should. So, . . . Not only is there no human data to link aspartame with blood pressure (either high or low), but even the animal stuff is more than two decades old. Generally, that may be an indicator of a research ‘dead end’. More significantly, given various international health agencies’ commitments to addressing and reducing high blood pressure in the general population ([example #1](http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/6-02-02-MassiveCampaignBegins.htm), [example #2](http://www.prnewstoday.com/release.htm?cat=health-care-hospitals&dat=20060607&rl=NYW02607062006-1), [example #3](http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/173/5/508), plus _many_ more, etc.), and given the huge amount of aspartame that’s consumed nowadays, any link, even the most tenuous one, would be vigorously pursued. Indeed, if there was a link between aspartame consumption and high blood pressure, you can be sure that there’d be educational campaigns to inform people of it (just as there is for dietary salt restriction, maintenance of ideal weight, exercise, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/16 "2006-09-27T00:24:32Z")
[Hansen’s](http://www.hansens.com/products/products.php?subcat=2&color=soda)makes several flavors with Splenda. I particularly like the grapefruit. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2006, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/17 "2006-09-27T03:43:44Z")
I guess no one will be offended if I choose to take the advice of my actual physician, as opposed to people who play them on a message board. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2006, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/18 "2006-09-27T04:05:57Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] I guess no one will be offended if I choose to take the advice of my actual physician, as opposed to people who play them on a message board. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Of course, not at all. But, out of curiosity, you may wish to enquire on what basis the recommendation has been made. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/19 "2006-09-27T04:15:58Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] I guess no one will be offended if I choose to take the advice of my actual physician, as opposed to people who play them on a message board. 🙂 [/QUOTE] With all due respect Alice, if a board member like KG, who is a real research doctor with some pretty serious medical citation-fu skills, can’t find a shred of credible evidence for this claim, you might want to think twice about the advice you’re getting before resigning us all to 'tard status. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2006, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249/20 "2006-09-27T04:31:01Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] I guess no one will be offended if I choose to take the advice of my actual physician, as opposed to people who play them on a message board. 🙂 [/QUOTE] With all due… etc. etc., what you’re getting here are reference to valid studies, and a conspicuous lack of data indicating high blood pressure, from the real experts (not us, the people who conducted the studies and wrote the papers). When you weigh that against the advice of a single physician who does not do these studies, I’d have to go with the consensus of experts. Unless you misunderstood him - you should check with him, not just take his advice blindly. Even physicians can be wrong, even seriously deluded about some subjects. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-diet-drinks-dont-have-aspartame/374249.md?page=2)