aspartame
Diet soda ingredient
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar, used in diet sodas, sugar-free gum, and low-calorie foods.
It breaks down when heated, so it appears mainly in cold or room-temperature products.
Despite persistent health scares, regulatory agencies have repeatedly affirmed its safety at normal consumption levels.
Artificial zero-calorie sweetener
- saccharinCalorie-free synthetic sweetener
- steviaPlant-derived sugar alternative
- sorbitolPolyol sweetener and humectant
- xylitolLow-calorie sugar replacement
mannitol · erythritol · maltitol · NutraSweet · high-intensity · non-nutritive · low-calorie
Essential protein component
- dipeptideTwo linked amino acids
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
- metaboliteSubstance from cellular processes
- methanolToxic one-carbon alcohol
formaldehyde · hydrolysis · breakdown · synthesized · patent · 1965
Minimal food energy content
- sugar-freeLacking added sweeteners
- diabetes-friendlySuitable for blood sugar management
- guilt-freeWithout remorse or shame
- health-consciousAware of physical wellbeing
Harmful effects on nerves
- headachesPains in the skull
- side-effectsSecondary, unintended outcomes
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- WHOUN health authority
lobbying · research · regulations · bans
sucralose
Artificial zero-calorie sweetener
- saccharinCalorie-free synthetic sweetener
- steviaPlant-derived sugar alternative
- sorbitolPolyol sweetener and humectant
xylitol · mannitol · erythritol · maltitol · NutraSweet · high-intensity · non-nutritive · low-calorie
phenylalanine
Essential protein component
- dipeptideTwo linked amino acids
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
- metaboliteSubstance from cellular processes
methanol · formaldehyde · hydrolysis · breakdown · synthesized · patent · 1965
low-calorie
Minimal food energy content
- sugar-freeLacking added sweeteners
- diabetes-friendlySuitable for blood sugar management
- guilt-freeWithout remorse or shame
neurotoxicity
Harmful effects on nerves
- headachesPains in the skull
- side-effectsSecondary, unintended outcomes
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
WHO · lobbying · research · regulations · bans
- manmadebuilding, road, highway, bridge, canal
- diet foodsdiet, low calorie, lo-cal, lite, lean
- food issuesfood additives, food labeling, food waste, factory farming, GMOs
- sweetenerssugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, white sugar
- chemical compoundsacetone, aldehydes, amines, esters, ketones
- Flavor Sciencearoma, bitterness, sweetness, sourness, saltiness
aspartamehoney
Bees' viscous nectar product
stevia · maple syrup · agave nectar · monk fruit · molasses
aspartamesugar
Crystalline carbohydrate sweetener
sucrose · cane sugar · table sugar · natural sugar · glucose
aspartamebitterness
Sharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
quinine · unsweetened · sugarless · plain