Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener. It is 200 times sweeter than sucrose, and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages. It is a methyl ester. Aspartame consists of two amino acids—aspartic acid and phenylalanine. When ingested, aspartame is broken down into these amino acids for use in protein synthesis and metabolism. In addition to aspartic acid and phenylalanine, aspartame digestion also yields a small amount of methanol. Aspartame can be used as an ingredient in beverages (such as diet sodas, light or low-sugar juices and flavored waters), dairy products (such as light yogurt and low-fat flavored milk), nutrition bars, desserts (such as sugar-free puddings and gelatins, light ice cream and popsicles), chewing gum, sauces, syrups and condiments. Aspartame is also found in several types of low-calorie tabletop sweeteners. In addition, some medications and chewable vitamins may contain aspartame to increase their palatability. Aspartame is not well-suited for use in foods that require baking for a long time because prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause it to lose its sweetness.