Aspartame

=__Aspartame__=

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 * __The Basics:__** Aspartame is the most widely used artificial, reduced-calorie sweetener that was discovered in 1965. It is used in many foods and carbonated beverages; you have probably heard it called NutraSweet® or Equal®. It is used in diet soft drinks, gum, fruit drinks, candy, cereal, and much more. Aspartame has often also been linked to weight loss or weight control.


 * __History:__** Aspartame was accidentally discovered by James Schlatter, and American drug researcher while he was trying to develop ulcer medication. He spilled some on his hand, and when he licked his finger to pick up a piece of paper, it was sweet. Later on it was concluded that aspartame is about 200 times as sweet as table sugar, so it was //sweet//.


 * __Composition and Manufacturing:__** Aspartame is artificial, and is made by joining aspartic acid and phenylalanine, two amino acids, and adding a methyl group. The chemical formula for aspartame is media type="custom" key="216997". Aspartame is manufactured by fermentation and synthesis. Fermentation comes first; bacteria are grown in a test tube. The bacteria used are //B. flavum//, which will synthesize aspartic acid, and //C. glutamicum//, which will synthesize phenylalanine. When the bacteria population grows enough, it is transferred from the test tube to a larger seed tank, which contains more food for the bacteria's growth, as well as a mixer to keep it moving. When the bacteria population increases even more, it is again transferred from the seed tank to a fermentation tank. The fermentation tank is a larger version of the seed tank, only with ammonia water added as needed for pH control. The fermentation tank enables the bacteria to grow even more and synthesize the necessary amino acids. Once the bacteria have grown to the desired amount in the fermentation tank, they are put in a centrifugal separator, which will isolate the amino acids.Then, synthesis is used to combine the pheylalanine and methanol through a chemical reaction, and then combined with modified aspartic acid to make aspartame.


 * __The Toxicity Battle:__** Aspartame has generated a huge amount of controversy over the safety of its use. Although the FDA approved aspartame for use in all food and drinks in 1996, many claim that the NutraSweet® company had a hand in funding the safety tests that the FDA says are some of the most rigorous safety tests ever given to a food additive. Aspartame was suspected early on to cause brian damage, although in 1981 the FDA decided that it did not carry a health risk. Aspartame is also suspected by some to induce headaches, leg numbness, depression, anxiety attacks, joint pain, memory loss, slurred speech, and blurred vision. Different double-blind studies involving aspartame and a placebo reveal very different results. Some show that there are no correlation between aspartame and the symptoms, and others show that aspartame causes the symptoms. More recently (September 11, 2007), in Atlanta, more than 500 studies conducted by eight leading experts confirm that aspartame is safe were published. The panel researched connections between aspartame and rumored diseases such as Parkinson's. The safety of the product has also been confirmed by multiple parties just this year.

One explanation for these symptoms experienced by consumers is that byproducts of aspartame include methanol and formaldehyde. It is said that in aspartame these substances are chemically bonded in a way that allows them to be absorbed into the body, causing the adverse symptoms described above. However, once again, different studies on this show different results. One study on rats shows that aspartame DOES cause formaldehyde build-up, whereas another study on rats shows that it does not.

__**Interesting Facts**__

__**Aspartame affects your weight?**__ According to the latest published reports on aspartame (as of September 11, 2007), it discussed the link of aspartame to weight loss or control. It was concluded in the research that aspartame doesn't make people gain weight, but they added it might help with overall control. In published reports, Beth Hubrich, a dietian, says in the article, “The findings of the review are not surprising given that aspartame brings nothing new to the diet – as aspartame is made up of amino acids and a small amount of methanol – all of which are found naturally in other foods, This review further supports the re-affirmations that have been made by regulatory and health agencies worldwide regarding the safety of aspartame.” ("Leading Scientists Around the World Confirm Safety of Aspartame" aspartame.org)

__**Myths:**__ Aspartame causes headaches, seizures, mood swings, and allergic reactions. Aspartame causes brain tumors. Aspartame causes birth defects. Aspartame causes Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and many other diseases.*


 * note, according to source, studies have shown that there isn't a direct link to the examples or other diseases but that information is subject to change if further research is pursued.

__**Benefits:**__ Aspartame tastes like sugar. Helpful for people who have diabetes. Does not promote tooth decay.

__**Products that use aspartame:**__ (list from Aspartame.org)
 * Breath Mints
 * Carbonated Soft Drinks
 * Cereals
 * Chewing Gum
 * Flavored Syrups for Coffee
 * Flavored Water Products
 * Frozen Ice
 * Frozen Ice Cream Novelties
 * Fruit Spreads
 * Gelatin, Sugar Free
 * Hard Candies
 * Ice cream Toppings
 * Ice Creams, No Sugar Added or Sugar Free
 * Iced Tea, Powder
 * Iced Tea, Ready to Drink
 * Instant Cocoa Mix
 * Jams & Jellies
 * Juice Blends
 * Juice Drinks
 * Maple Syrups
 * Meal Replacements
 * Mousse
 * No Sugar Added Pies
 * Non-Carbonated Diet Soft drinks
 * Nutritional Bars
 * Powdered Soft Drinks
 * Protein Nutritional Drinks
 * Pudding
 * Soft Candy Chews
 * Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup
 * Sugar Free Cookies
 * Sugar Free Ketchup
 * Table Top Sweeteners
 * Vegetable Drinks
 * Yogurt, Drinkable
 * Yogurt, Fat Free
 * Yogurt, Sugar Free

[|Aspartame.net]

[|NutraSweet.com]

[|Aspartame-Wikipedia]

http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-110.htm

[|World Book Encylcopedia Online- Aspartame]

[|www.apartame.org]