Ingredient · Updated
Aspartame
Found in 4 products
What is Aspartame?
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener used to replace sugar in a variety of food and beverages. It is a compound made from two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine and a methanol group.
Aspartame is widely used because it is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, allowing manufacturers to use less of it to achieve the desired sweetness. Some studies have raised questions about its safety, but major health organizations, including the FDA, generally consider it safe when consumed within established limits.
When you see aspartame on a label, it's often included as a calorie-reducing alternative to sugar in products like diet sodas and sugar-free candies.
Commonly found in: diet sodas, sugar-free gum, sugar-free candies, light yogurt, sugar-free drink mixes
What to watch
- Aspartame contains phenylalanine, which can be harmful to individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Benefits
- Aspartame provides sweetness with few calories, which may aid in weight management.
Aspartame is approved by the FDA as a safe general-purpose sweetener within specific consumption limits.
Research on aspartame includes mixed findings, with some studies questioning its safety and others affirming its safety at recommended levels.
Aspartame is typically considered vegan as it does not contain animal-derived ingredients.
Scout's take
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used to replace sugar in low-calorie products. It has been controversial due to potential health concerns, including headaches and other neurological effects. Despite being approved by many health authorities, its long-term safety is still debated.
The case against
Potential health concerns include headaches and other neurological effects.
from the analysis of Crystal Light On-The-Go Peach Mango Green Tea - / PouchesMay cause headaches or other adverse effects in sensitive individuals.
from the analysis of Mentos FRESH MINT SUGARFREE GUM WITH GREEN TEA EXTRACTThe case for
Provides sweetness without adding calories, which can be beneficial for weight management.
from the analysis of Mentos FRESH MINT SUGARFREE GUM WITH GREEN TEA EXTRACTMore from Scout's analyses
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used to provide sweetness without calories. It is highly processed and has been controversial due to potential health concerns. Some studies suggest it may cause headaches or other adverse effects in sensitive individuals.
from the analysis of Mentos FRESH MINT SUGARFREE GUM WITH GREEN TEA EXTRACTAspartame is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the WHO IARC. It breaks down into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol, and is contraindicated for people with phenylketonuria (PKU).
from the analysis of Sugar Free Gold+ SweetenerArtificial non-caloric sweetener; controversial health implications; classified as possibly carcinogenic by IARC
from the analysis of Mimi Caramelle Sugar Free Fresh MintAll 4 products with Aspartame
Where Aspartame shows up
- Candy 1 product
- Artificial Sweeteners 1 product
- Tea 1 product
- Gum 1 product
Higher-scoring picks without Aspartame
Products from the same categories whose analyzed ingredient list does not include Aspartame, scoring 80 or above.
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