1. What is it?

What is aspartame?

Aspartame (APM) is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some

foods and beverages. In the European Union, it is codified as E951. Aspartame is a methyl
ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide.

A panel of experts set up by the European Food Safety Authority concluded in 2013 that
aspartame is safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure. As of 2017 evidence
does not support a long-term benefit for weight loss or in diabetes. Because its breakdown
products include phenylalanine, people with the genetic condition phenylketonuria (PKU) must
be aware of this as an additional source.

It was first sold under the brand name NutraSweet. It was first made in 1965, and the patent
expired in 1992. It was initially approved for use in food products by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in 1981.The safety of aspartame has been the subject of several political
and medical controversies, United States congressional hearings, and Internet hoaxes
(Wikipedia).

2. Relevant information about the topic you picked.

Aspartame comes from E. coli bacteria.

To create aspartame, the feces of genetically-modified E. coli bacteria are used to produce
unnaturally high levels of an enzyme that produces the phenylalanine needed for the artificial
sweetener to be produced.

A 1981 patent for aspartame production, which was once confined to the drawers of patent
offices, is now available online explaining this disturbing fact.

Titled Process for producing aspartame, the patent reads:

The artificial sweetener aspartame, a dipeptide with the formula Asp-Phe-me, is produced
using a cloned microorganism. A DNA which codes for a large stable peptide comprised
of the repeating amino acid sequence (Asp-Phe)n is inserted into a cloning vehicle which
in turn is introduced into a suitable host microorganism. The host microorganism is
cultured and the large peptide containing the repeating Asp-Phe sequence is harvested
therefrom. The free carboxyl group of the large peptide is benzylated and then
hydrolysed to benzyl Asp-Phe dipeptides. This dipeptide is methylated and then
debenzylated to form aspartame (Erickson 2016. ASPARTAME: FIVE SURPRISING FACTS
YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS CHEMICAL SWEETENER).
 3. How does it affect human life?

Aside from the effects in people with phenylketonuria, no health problems have been
consistently linked to aspartame use. Research on artificial sweeteners, including aspartame,
continues today. What is Phenylketonuria?

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria is a rare genetic disorder (present at birth) in which the body can't break down
phenylalanine, an amino acid found in many foods. Levels of phenylalanine can build up in the
blood, which prevents other important chemicals (like amino acids) from getting to the brain.
Unless phenylalanine intake is severely limited, children with PKU suffer from abnormal brain
development.

PKU is usually detected in babies by a routine blood test shortly after birth. People with PKU
need to follow a phenylalanine-restricted diet. This is especially important in children, whose
brains are still developing. It is also important in pregnant women, because it can affect the
development of the fetus.

The EFSA report stated that, "PKU mothers with poorly controlled phenylalanine intake in their
diet during pregnancy may give birth to babies with congenital heart diseases, microcephalus
and impaired neurological function."( https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/the-truth-
about-aspartame.aspx)

4. Is it dangerous?

Danger in Aspartame.

Both the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have found aspartame to be
safe enough to be consumed, although research regarding a potential link between aspartame
and cancer is still occurring.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of aspartame and other artificial
sweeteners in the United States. In 2007, the FDA stated:

Considering results from the large number of studies on aspartame's safety, including five
previously conducted negative chronic carcinogenicity studies, a recently reported large
epidemiology study with negative associations between the use of aspartame and the
occurrence of tumors, and negative findings from a series of three transgenic mouse assays,
FDA finds no reason to alter its previous conclusion that aspartame is safe as a general
purpose sweetener in food.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assesses the safety of sweeteners such as
aspartame in the European Union. According to a 2009 report from its Panel on Food Additives
and Nutrient Sources Added to Food:
Overall, the Panel concluded, on the basis of all the evidence currently available that there is
no indication of any genotoxic or carcinogenic potential of aspartame and that there is no
reason to revise the previously established ADI for aspartame of 40 mg/kg [body weight].

Though research into a possible link between aspartame and cancer continues, these agencies
agree that studies done so far have not found such a link(https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-
causes/aspartame.html).

5. Miscellaneous interesting information you find.

Shocking about Aspartame

Aspartame is made from Bacteria Poop

The chemical aspartame is made from the waste product of E. coli bacteria. To be blunt, its
made from bacteria poop. As if thats not bad enough, the poop is then benzylated and
hydrolyzed, and the result of that process is then methylated and debenzylated.

The Bacteria are Genetically Modified

The patent for aspartame reveals that the E. coli bacteria are genetically manipulated. [2]
Thats another way of saying that aspartame is made from the poop of bacteria that are
genetically modified organisms GMOs.

Aspartame Makes You Hungry

The science isnt clear on the exact mechanism that causes this but research suggests that
when you eat or drink foods that contain aspartame, youll have a hard time controlling your
appetite. Thats a strange sort of diet food!

Aspartame Turns into Formaldehyde

Aspartame itself doesnt get through your digestive tract. Its quickly broken down into other
substances which enter the blood stream. These substances are metabolized further and
one of those products is formaldehyde, the stuff used to embalm dead bodies
(https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/5-shocking-facts-aspartame/).

6. None of Your opinion.

Get rid of the harm aspartame may give you.

Aspartame Detoxification Program by Janet Star Hull

1. Remove all sugar-free products with aspartame from your diet.

2. Learn to 'read' your body. Begin recording any health changes.
3. Get a hair analysis.
 4. Be happy with yourself.
5. Detoxify.
6. Restore depleted nutrients.
7. Exercise and get plenty of rest.
8. Eat 75% raw foods at every meal.
9. Drink water, water, water.
10. Get control of your life.

(http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html)

References:

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/04/08/aspartame-five-surprising-facts-you-never-knew-
about-this-chemical-sweetener/

http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/aspartame.html

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/the-truth-about-aspartame.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/5-shocking-facts-aspartame/