Scientific Facts on the Aspertame artificial sweetener

The consumption of aspertame in Europe is estimated to be between 2.8 and 10.1 mg/kg body weight per day.

Aspertame is a non-caloric artificial sweetener used in many diet drinks and foods. Although this artificial sweetener has been widely used for many years, some allegations still fuel a debate on possible side effects.

Does aspertame really pose health risks?

5. Conclusion

Several scientific committees have reviewed the health risks of the aspertame sweetener and its breakdown products: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol.

Their conclusions are:

• People get far less aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol from the aspertame sweetener than from normal consumption of natural foods.
• Aspertame intakes are unlikely to exceed the current Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), even for children and diabetics.
• While some minor effects on health may occur at very high doses, no effects are expected at or below the ADI.

In other words, to the current knowledge, normal consumption of aspertame is basically safe for the health. More detailed conclusions on aspartame...

Next question: Other views on the aspertame sweetener effects

Note that the proper spelling for Aspertame is Aspartame.