What is aspartame and is it hazardous for your health?

Answer 1

Aspartame, is the name for an artificial, non-carbohydrate sweetener, aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester; i.e., the methyl ester of the dipeptide of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is marketed under a number of trademark names, such as Equal, and Canderel, and is an ingredient of approximately 6,000 consumer foods and beverages sold worldwide. It is commonly used in diet soft drinks, and is often provided as a table condiment. It is also used in some brands of chewable vitamin supplements. However, aspartame is not always suitable for baking, because it often breaks down when heated and loses much of its sweetness.
Upon ingestion, aspartame breaks down into several constituent chemicals, including the naturally-occurring essential amino acid phenylalanine which is a health hazard to the few people born with phenylketonuria, a congenital inability to process phenylalanine. Aspartame products generally include a warning label related to Phenylketonuria to help protect these people. It is safer for those with the disease to monitor their diets and to attempt to avoid such products.

Answer 2

Well...I was going to say it's an artificial sweetener used a lot in soft drinks. But there's no need now.....I'll go with Auntiem. She knows what she's talking about.

Answer 3

It's an artificial sweetener, and yes, it can be most hazardous. I myself have an intolerence to it and other such sweeteners. Sugar is best when used in moderation.

Answer 4

NOT hazardous.

Some reading to disprove and debunk the bullsh!t on the internet...
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.1316/pub_detail.asp
http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/102/106833.htm
http://www.aspartamearchives.org/dangers-of-aspartame.htm