Aspartame
By: Paige Simpson
What is Aspartame?
The Aspartame Makeup
Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide.
Aspartame Products
These are some of the products that have aspartame in them.
Diet Drinks
Most diet drinks contain Aspartame as a sugar substitute.
Against Aspartame
What Aspartame causes
Reported side effects: Headaches, fibromyalgia, anxiety, memory loss, arthritis, abdominal pain, nausea, depression, heart palpitations, irritable bowel syndrome, seizures, neurological disorders, vision problems, brain tumors and weight gain.
Concerns: Phenylalanine and aspartic acid directly impact brain and central nervous system functions; evidence shows they play a role in mood disorders, memory problems and other neurological illnesses.
Methanol is converted into formaldehyde when metabolized. Makers of aspartame say methanol and its byproducts are quickly excreted. But research has found measurable amounts of formaldehyde in the livers, kidneys and brains of test subjects after ingestion of aspartame.