Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

Aspartame, also known as “Nutrasweet” and “Equal”: Aspartame is made from a combination of the 2 amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid. It is 220 times sweeter than sugar. Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) should not use aspartame as they cannot break down amino acids present in the sweetener. An acceptable intake in the United States for aspartame is set at 50 mg per kilogram by the FDA. Asparatme contains no calories or nutrition and does not increase blood sugar. Therefore, it often promoted for use by diabetics instead of sugar.

Danger of aspartame intake:

The FDA has stated as of 2006 after a review of over 100 clinical and toxicology studies on aspartame, that there was “no scientific information that would support a change in our conclusions about the safety of aspartame.” Patients with a genetic disorder named phenylketonuria (PKU) are required to avoid aspartame which can increase phenylalanine amino acid levels which may result in mental retardation and other neurologic disorders.