Aspartame has been linked to a variety of health problems including birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders, epilepsy or seizures and migraines. Recent research from Japan has indicated that very low doses reduce sperm count quite considerably in mice. Mice given very low amounts of aspartame had almost a 10 per cent decrease in healthy sperm.

While this, and other reports of negative effects, can be criticised, I don' t see the point of encouraging any artificial sweeteners. Sugar itself contributes to diabetes, obesity, heart disease and probably cancer, and artificial sweeteners aren' t much better. If you are addicted to adding or eating something sweet my advice is to wean yourself off both sugar and artificial sweeteners, and sweeten cereal and desserts with fruit instead. Fructose is OK if you' re desperate to add something to drinks, but you' ll find a sweet tooth will disappear with time.