Is Aspartame Poisoning Real?

Aspartame is generally safe to consume by most people; however, certain people need to watch how much they eat of it.

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is significantly sweeter than sugar yet contains fewer calories. It serves as a sugar substitute in a variety of packaged meals and beverages.

The FDA has approved aspartame for usage, and more than 100 studies have been conducted to support its safety in people. However, people with phenylketonuria (PKU) need to watch how much aspartame they consume.

• According to studies, PKU is a rare hereditary disorder that makes it difficult to digest and metabolically process the amino acid, phenylalanine.
• Phenylalanine can accumulate in the body of someone with PKU who consumes too much of it, leading to negative side effects.
• When a person with PKU consumes too much aspartame, it could be considered poisoning because aspartame contains phenylalanine.

Though some studies have connected aspartame to adverse consequences unrelated to PKU, there is no proof that aspartame poisoning is a problem for those without the condition.

For the most part, aspartame is regarded as safe to eat although certain people need to be cautious about how much they consume.

According to the FDA, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of aspartame is about 25 mg per pound of body weight.

• A 132-pound person should be able to safely consume 3,000 mg of aspartame per day, which equates to roughly 75 packets of aspartame sweetener.
• The FDA calculates that if a 132-pound person completely replaces all the added sugar they consume daily with aspartame, they would only consume 4 to 4.5 mg/lbs. aspartame per day.

According to research, a buildup of phenylalanine from too much aspartame or other sources may result in the following symptoms for patients with phenylketonuria:

• Seizures and other neurological problems
• Eczema or other skin rashes
• Hyperactivity
• Intellectual disability
• Growth problems and developmental delays
• Behavioral, emotional, and social problems
• Psychiatric disorders
• A musty odor in the urine, skin, or breath

Aspartame is used to sweeten meals and beverages without adding sugar or calories. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar.

• Beverages
  • Flavored milk
  • Sugar-free drink mixes, such as hot chocolate
  • Diet sodas
  • Juices labeled “diet” or “low-sugar”
  • Flavored waters
• Foods
  • Light, flavored yogurt
  • Some sauces, syrups, and other condiments
  • Chewing gum
  • Puddings or gelatins labeled “low-sugar” or “sugar-free”
  • Light popsicles and ice cream
  • Some breakfast cereals
  • Some protein or nutrition bars

Aspartame is approved by numerous worldwide regulatory bodies. However, anecdotal reports describing symptoms, such as headaches, thought to be connected to aspartame consumption continue to arise. Studies that investigated this potential link were limited by their small sample sizes and methodological issues.

In a narrative review published in 2016, two of four studies indicated an association between aspartame exposure and an increase in headache frequency, whereas the other two found no difference between aspartame and control groups.

In each of these investigations, aspartame doses that were greater than those typically ingested were used. A 2015 randomized controlled experiment conducted by the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency found no changes in the physical, biochemical, or psychological symptoms that followed aspartame consumption in people who self-identified as “aspartame-sensitive.”

Aspartame is converted in the digestive system to aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol, all of which are naturally occurring in considerably higher concentrations in other foods and beverages. This makes it challenging to speculate on a biological cause for symptoms and/or sensitivities that are unique to aspartame.