I read that Phenalalanine is not hamful but i dont believe it. Are they lying?

Question

When I see "Phenylketoneurics: Contains Phenylalanine" on the side of a diet soda can, I think that those are some pretty big words to be ingested. I looked it up and read that it is not hamful at all unless you were born with Phenylketonourics (PKN) which you are tested for at birth. I dont buy it. Anyone have any other information?

Answer 1

The PKU test is given to all newborn babies according to state law because if not diagnosed, babies with PKU can quickly develop mental retardation and other problems. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is needed for normal growth and development and this test is focused on finding babies who are unable to metabolize phenylalanine.

Read about the PKU test here:

http://www.webmd.com/hw/raising_a_family/hw41965.asp

Actually the phenylalanine produced by consuming aspertame (Nutra-Sweet which is in diet sodas) is a very small amounts. Much larger amounts are consumed if you eat any complete animal protein such as meat. Therefore, eating meat gives you way more phenylalanine than diet soda and in either case, phenylalanine is indeed harmless to anyone who is not afflicted with phenylketonuria (PKU).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylalanine