Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener used to add sweetness to foods and beverages. Aspartame is frequently used in place of sugar or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in foods, including baked goods, candy, soft drinks, breakfast cereals and chewing gum. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aspartame for use in food, provided it’s labeled “with an acceptable daily intake” (ADI). This means that if you consume aspartame products at or below the ADI recommendation each day over your lifetime, there’s no increased risk of adverse health effects due to aspartame consumption.
“Aspartame is the most common sweetener in low- and no-calorie products.
Aspartame is the most common sweetener in low- and no-calorie products. It’s found in over 6,000 products around the world and more than 5,000 foods and beverages. Aspartame is used in many diet products to replace sugar without adding calories or carbohydrates.
Aspartame is metabolized faster than sugar, so it won’t affect your blood sugar level as much.
It’s important to remember that aspartame is not sugar. It is an entirely different chemical compound, and it will not affect your blood sugar levels the same way that sugar does. In fact, studies show that even when the body breaks down aspartame into its constituent parts (phenylalanine and aspartic acid), those compounds are metabolized faster than they would be if they had been ingested in their natural state along with other foods in our diet—including protein-rich meats, nuts and seeds.
As a result of this metabolic difference between aspartame and other food items containing carbohydrates like fruit or grains, diabetics can enjoy foods sweetened with low-calorie options like Equal® because their blood glucose levels won’t spike out of control after eating them—which means no more gnarly insulin reactions!
Aspartame can be safely used by people with diabetes.
Aspartame is safe for most people with diabetes to use. It is important that individuals with diabetes should consult their physician before beginning any new diet or eating plan. Aspartame and sucrose are digested at different rates, so aspartame won’t affect your blood sugar level as much as sugar does.
The American Diabetes Association considers aspartame an appropriate food additive for people with diabetes to use.
The American Diabetes Association considers aspartame an appropriate food additive for people with diabetes to use.
If you have PKU (phenylketonuria), you should not consume or use any products containing aspartame because they may contain phenylalanine.
People who have or have ever had phenylketonuria (PKU) need to avoid aspartame because of the amino acid phenylalanine, which is part of the makeup of aspartame.
People who have or have ever had phenylketonuria (PKU) need to avoid aspartame because of the amino acid phenylalanine, which is part of the makeup of aspartame.
Phenylalanine can cause serious health problems in people with PKU.
PKU is a genetic disorder that prevents an individual from metabolizing an amino acid called phenylalanine properly. This causes high levels of phenylalanine in your blood and urine. High levels can damage your brain and nervous system, leading to developmental delays and learning disabilities such as mental retardation or problems with motor skills like walking or talking at an early age if untreated.[1]
Excessive consumption of aspartame has not been shown to cause adverse health effects.
Aspartame has been consumed by hundreds of millions of people for 30 years, and it’s safe for most people to use. In fact, the American Diabetes Association considers aspartame to be a safe alternative to sugar for diabetics.
However, some individuals do have adverse reactions to the sweetener that can range from mild headaches or nausea to more serious allergic reactions such as hives (urticaria), swelling of the lips or tongue, dizziness, wheezing and difficulty breathing. If you experience any side effects after consuming aspartame-containing products please consult your physician immediately.
If a person without PKU consumes more than 50 milligrams of phenylalanine daily, they may experience a decrease in appetite, seizures, headaches and concentration problems, according to Dr. McCallum. If this occurs, they should stop using products containing aspartame right away
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in many different foods. It is one of the building blocks of proteins and is used by the body to produce neurotransmitters.
People with PKU cannot metabolize phenylalanine properly, so they are advised to follow a low-phenylalanine diet that limits their intake to 50 milligrams daily. If a person without PKU consumes more than 50 milligrams of phenylalanine daily, they may experience a decrease in appetite, seizures, headaches and concentration problems, according to Dr. McCallum. If this occurs, they should stop using products containing aspartame right away
Aspartame is safe for most people with diabetes to use, unless they have or have ever had phenylketonuria (PKU).
Aspartame is safe for most people with diabetes to use, unless they have or have ever had phenylketonuria (PKU).
People with PKU cannot break down certain amino acids because they lack the necessary enzyme. As a result, high levels of phenylalanine can build up in their blood and cause problems like mental retardation, seizures and other brain damage. If you or someone you know has PKU and would like to use aspartame-sweetened foods and drinks, check the labels carefully for ingredients such as “phenylalanine” or “aspartic acid”. Foods that contain these substances should be avoided by people with PKU.
Conclusion
Aspartame is the most common sweetener in low- and no-calorie products. Aspartame is metabolized faster than sugar, so it won’t affect your blood sugar level as much. Aspartame can be safely used by people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association considers aspartame an appropriate food additive for people with diabetes to use. People who have or have ever had phenylketonuria (PKU) need to avoid aspartame because of the amino acid phenylalanine, which is part of the makeup of aspartame. Excessive consumption of aspartame has not been shown to cause adverse health effects. The FDA requires that foods containing aspartame list “phenylalanine” prominently on their nutrition labels, so people can clearly identify which foods contain it.”
