Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame are commonly used to replace sugar. According to some studies they cause no harmful effects in healthy individuals. However, many doctors maintain that artificial sweeteners have the same effect on the body as natural sweeteners. The brain does not distinguish between artificial and natural. It picks up that you have a sugar-type substance in the body and it reacts accordingly. Thus, the changes in the body are the same regardless of whether you use sugar or an artificial sweetener. This is one reason why many people do not see a difference in their weight or how they feel after they use a drink with an artificial sweetener. It is also interesting to note that even though aspartame is supposed to be safe, you are still cautioned not to use too much and to use it only in moderation. Thus you may be better off using natural brown sugar or honey which the body can assimilate with no negative effects.