(Or E951) Is a
sugar substitute, also classified as an "excitotoxin", found mainly in
tea sweeteners such as Equal/Nutrasweet, diet drinks and sugar
free products. Aspartame consists of 50% aspartic acid, 40% phenylalanine and 10% methanol.
Aspartame is known to be a very dangerous substance as many people have been complaining of over 92 different health side-effects after consuming it. Short term side-effects include headaches/migraines, dizziness, difficulty thinking and nausea, whereas long-term consuption of it has been known to cause diseases such as
fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, blindness and
brain tumours.
During digestion, the methanol breaks down into formaldehyde and formic acid which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. These two substances have the potential to break down the blood-
brain barrier and destroy neurons and brain cells. Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are actually utilized by our bodies in small doses, but in high amounts, they are neurotoxic.
Diet coke drinker: "Here, u shud try sum of this, its shugger
free!" 8^D
Aware individual: "Oh God no thanks, that contains aspartame, I'd keep well clear of that if I were you!"
Diet coke drinker: "lol, wots tha?" :S