Aspartame is a high-intensity,
low-calorie artificial sweetener found in soft drinks, desserts and chewing gum,
etc (2). Couple of its brand names are NutraSweet
and Equal.
(8) LHcheM (2012). Wikimedia.
Available from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aspartame_sample.jpg
Aspartame breaks down in your
body to aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol (1). Aspartic acid makes up 40%, phenylalanine
makes up 50%, and methanol makes up 10% of the total aspartame molecule. The amino acid metabolites follow the normal
routes of digestion as they would if generated from other food sources in our
body. Our body cannot synthesize
phenylalanine and has to be obtained from foods for normal growth to be
maintained (1). However, if consumed in excessive amounts it can pose a hazard to
individuals suffering from phenylketonuria, an
inherited metabolic disorder, and so all food items containing aspartame have
to indicate the presence of phenylalanine.
Methanol breaks down into
Formaldehyde and to formic acid and then eliminates from the body and is a
potentially harmful metabolite. However,
various studies have shown even at abuse levels methanol levels in aspartame
consumption are insignificant and do not pose any health risks (1).
The Acceptable
Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame is 40 mg/kg of body weight (bw)/day (established
by Food Directorate of Health Canada) or 50 mg/kg of bw/day (set by FDA)
(6). Since one 12-ounce can of diet soda
contains 180 mg of aspartame, this is 3,750 mg (21 cans of diet soda) for an
adult weighing 75 kg (165 lb) (6). Studies
have indicated that aspartame does not have a cancer risk (3, 4). Current
evidence suggests that consumption of aspartame does not cause brain damage or
seizures and FDA has found no association of aspartame intake and epilepsy (5).
In a recent publication, it was stated that after 5 well-conducted studies
adding aspartame to a diabetic’s diet in single doses or had no affect on their
blood sugar levels hence it can be used safely by diabetics (2). Individuals with a history of migraines and
headaches should avoid aspartame but in healthy individuals no direct
association between aspartame and headaches has been found (7).
(9) Oneness91 (2008). Flickr. Available from: http://fr.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2501448021
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