Aspartame
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Synonyms
L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester
Description
In solid state, aspartame is a white powder. Aspartame is the methyl ester of
the dipeptide of the natural amino acids L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine.
During digestion, aspartame breaks down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine,
methanol, and further breakdown products to formaldehyde, formic acid, and
a diketopiperazine.
Discovery
According to Wikipedia, aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M.
Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Originally, Schlatter
had synthesized aspartame in the course of producing an anti-ulcer drug
candidate. Once, he licked his finger which has accidentally contaminated
with aspartame.
Uses
According to Wikipedia, aspartame is used as a low-calorie sweetener in
many food products, including Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel.
Because it is about 180 times sweeter than sugar, only very small amounts
are needed to sweeten a product. A typical 12 ounce low-calorie soft drink
contains about 180 milligrams of aspartame.
However, aspartame degrades and losses its sweetness in acidic solutions
at high temperatures.
Side Effects, Danger of Aspartame
FDA determined in 1981 that aspartame was safe for use in foods.
Carefully controlled clinical studies show that aspartame is not an allergen.
However, certain people with the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU), and
pregnant women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of phenylalanine in
blood) have a problem with aspartame because they do not effectively
metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, one of aspartame's components.
High levels of this amino acid in body fluids can cause brain damage.
Therefore, FDA has ruled that all products containing aspartame must include
a warning to phenylketonurics that the sweetener contains phenylalanine. [3]
Clinical Studies
A study of about half a million people, published in 2006, compared people
who drank aspartame-containing beverages with those who did not. Results
of the study showed that increasing levels of consumption were not
associated with any risk of lymphomas, leukemias, or brain cancers in men or
women. [2]
Researchers examined the relationship between aspartame intake and 1,888
lymphomas or leukemias and 315 malignant brain cancers among the
participants of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study from 1995 until 2000.
Development of these cancers was not associated with estimated aspartame
consumption, refuting a recent animal study with positive findings for
lymphomas and leukemias and also contradicting claims regarding brain
cancer risk. [2]
SOURCE
[1] Wikipedia
[2] http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/AspartameQandA
[3] http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/qa-adf9.html
L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester
Description
In solid state, aspartame is a white powder. Aspartame is the methyl ester of
the dipeptide of the natural amino acids L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine.
During digestion, aspartame breaks down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine,
methanol, and further breakdown products to formaldehyde, formic acid, and
a diketopiperazine.
Discovery
According to Wikipedia, aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M.
Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Originally, Schlatter
had synthesized aspartame in the course of producing an anti-ulcer drug
candidate. Once, he licked his finger which has accidentally contaminated
with aspartame.
Uses
According to Wikipedia, aspartame is used as a low-calorie sweetener in
many food products, including Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel.
Because it is about 180 times sweeter than sugar, only very small amounts
are needed to sweeten a product. A typical 12 ounce low-calorie soft drink
contains about 180 milligrams of aspartame.
However, aspartame degrades and losses its sweetness in acidic solutions
at high temperatures.
Side Effects, Danger of Aspartame
FDA determined in 1981 that aspartame was safe for use in foods.
Carefully controlled clinical studies show that aspartame is not an allergen.
However, certain people with the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU), and
pregnant women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of phenylalanine in
blood) have a problem with aspartame because they do not effectively
metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, one of aspartame's components.
High levels of this amino acid in body fluids can cause brain damage.
Therefore, FDA has ruled that all products containing aspartame must include
a warning to phenylketonurics that the sweetener contains phenylalanine. [3]
Clinical Studies
A study of about half a million people, published in 2006, compared people
who drank aspartame-containing beverages with those who did not. Results
of the study showed that increasing levels of consumption were not
associated with any risk of lymphomas, leukemias, or brain cancers in men or
women. [2]
Researchers examined the relationship between aspartame intake and 1,888
lymphomas or leukemias and 315 malignant brain cancers among the
participants of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study from 1995 until 2000.
Development of these cancers was not associated with estimated aspartame
consumption, refuting a recent animal study with positive findings for
lymphomas and leukemias and also contradicting claims regarding brain
cancer risk. [2]
SOURCE
[1] Wikipedia
[2] http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/AspartameQandA
[3] http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/qa-adf9.html
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
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reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.