Aspartame, is a low calorie sweetening ingredient. It is made from two building blocks of protein just like those found naturally in many everyday foods such as meat, fish, cheese, eggs and milk. Aspartame is digested by the body in exactly the same way as these other protein foods and so does not bring anything new to the diet.
What kind of products contain aspartame?
Aspartame is used in almost 5000 products around the world, of which more than 2000 are in Europe. Aspartame can be found in a wide variety of food products including:
Dairy products: Yoghurts, dairy desserts and fromage frais.
Confectionery: Chewing gum, sweets, chocolate, breath mints.
Table-top sweeteners: Tablets and spoon-for-spoon powders.
Frozen desserts: Ice cream and frozen snacks.
Powdered products: Powdered soft drinks, milkshake mixes, and multivitamin drinks.
Cereals: Cereal mixes, mueslis.
Preserves: Fruit preserves, canned fruits.
Pharmaceuticals: Effervescent tablets, chewable tablets and sachets.
What are the benefits of aspartame?
Aspartame is the ideal alternative to sugar with virtually no Calories. It is of special benefit to diabetics and slimmers, as well as for all of us who want to maintain a well-balanced healthy diet. In addition, since it is sugar-free, aspartame can make an important contribution to good dental health.
Is aspartame safe for everyone?
Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested ingredients in our food supply. It has been approved by health and regulatory authorities in 100 countries throughout the world. Numerous organizations, including experts of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Union's Scientific Committee for Food, and the United States Food & Drug Administration have approved the use of aspartame in food and drinks.
Aspartame is safe for the general population, including pregnant women and nursing mothers, children, diabetics and slimmers.
Why do products which contain aspartame have the label 'Contains a source of phenylalanine' on the packaging?
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid (that is, an amino acid which our bodies cannot make and so we must obtain it from our diet). It is also one of the amino acids which is used to make aspartame. Phenylalanine is found in all protein-containing foods including milk, cheese, eggs, meat and fish.
Products which contain aspartame have a label which says 'Contains a source of phenylalanine'. This label is there to help people with the rare inherited genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). These people cannot metabolize phenylalanine from any source and need to follow a very strict diet to avoid this amino acid. The disorder affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies born in the UK. A screening programme has been in place since 1969 for all new born babies which includes tests for PKU
Is aspartame suitable for people on low carbohydrate diets such as the Atkins Diet?
Aspartame is made from two amino acids, which are parts of protein. Aspartame provides the taste of sugar but very few calories
For people on the Atkins Diet, aspartame is ideal as it is does not contain any carbohydrates
Source: www.aspartame.info
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