Aspartame:
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener (See: Artificial Sweeteners), which is used as a substitute in certain foods and beverages. It is a non-saccharin sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sucrose and its calorific value is negligible. Though its taste differs from ordinary sugar, its taste lasts longer. So, it is blended with other sweeteners to produce a distinct taste profile. Aspartame breaks down into amino acids and has high pH. The ingredients of aspartame are methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. Though aspartic acid, and phenylalanine are naturally occurring amino acids and the FDA had approved the use of aspartame, there are concerns for people with phenylketonuria. And, excess consumption of methanol over a period of time can lead to toxicity. It is even linked to certain types of cancer.
