B-+effects+of+Aspartame

__ General Information __ · It is a sugar substitute found in many low-calorie or fat-free food products. · It is an organic compound of phenylalanine and aspartic acid (C14H18N2O5). · The affects of aspartame is a topic that is controversial in the scientific community. · Most allegations about the risk of aspartame are fuelled by the Internet. · It was approved in 1981 by the FDA and has been re-approved 26 times since then. · The FDA’s acceptable daily intake is 50 mg/kg. (This is about 21 cans of diet soda for an adult weighing 165 pounds). This may be inaccurate because in fact, it was provided at the time of evaluation. · On average, people consume 7% of this per day in the United States. __ Studies Done __ · In a study done by the National Cancer Institute in 2006, results showed that consumption of aspartame was not directly related to the risk of lymphomas, leukemia’s, or brain cancers in men or women. · The problem with this study was that firstly, it was done with mainly older adult Caucasians. Secondly, that it didn’t show affects over a life time. It also portrayed people that consumed the amount of aspartame in a can of diet soda, not reflecting the results for those who exceed that amount. __ Aspartame and Pregnancy __ · The FDA has proven all allegations about negative affects of aspartame and pregnancy to be false. · Some doctors still advise against it though. · Firstly because, pregnant women shouldn’t be concerned with diet foods, but instead the most nutritional foods for a baby. · Secondly because, aspartame is usually found in caffeinated foods, which isn’t good for a baby either. __ Interesting Facts __ · Saccharin, another sugar substitute, has been linked to greater chances of birth defects. · 150-200 times as sweet as cane sugar. · It is found in more than 6000 products worldwide. · It is unsuitable for baking. · On many products, it is called NutraSweet® · Women with phenylketonuria (PKU) should never consume aspartame. This is because it is high in phenylalanines, and people with PKU cannot process these. It results in dangerously high blood levels, which would be extremely harmful to a pregnant woman with PKU. List of Aspartame Containing Ice Cream and Desserts : Foodessentials. (2009, January 27). //Foodessentials//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://blog.foodessentials.com/additives/aspartame-icecream-desserts/ Aspartame Information Center - Aspartame in Low Calorie Foods, Diet. (n.d.). //Aspartame | Separating Fact From Fiction about Aspartame//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.aspartame.org/aspartame_products.html Aspartame and Cancer - National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). //National Cancer Institute - Comprehensive Cancer Information//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/aspartame Ellis-Christensen, T. (n.d.). What Should I Know About Aspartame and Pregnancy?. //wiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-should-i-know-about-aspartame-and-pregnancy.htm List of Products Containing Aspartame | Supersweet blog. (n.d.). //Supersweet blog | A website offshoot of independant Chemical and Consumer Research into Aspartame//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://supersweetblog.wordpress.com/list-of-products-containing-aspartame/ Romanowski, P. (n.d.). Aspartame: How Products are Made. //eNotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More.//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/aspartame aspartame (chemical compound) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia. (n.d.). //Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia//. Retrieved October 19, 2010, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/38874/aspartame
 * __ Effects of Aspartame on the Human Body __ **
 * __ By: Shazma Khimji __ **