The artificial sweetener aspartame is safe for human consumption, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These conclusions are based on scientific results that found little to no toxic event in regard to aspartame usage. Furthermore, there was no apparent connection with aspartame and cancer. Aspartame is not recommended, however, for people with phenylketonuria. Aspartame may also cause side effects that only affect a small subset of the population.
Phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder that causes an inability to metabolize phenylalanine, an essential dietary amino acid. If not careful, people with phenylketonuria can have excessively high levels of phenylalanine in the body, which can cause brain damage and mental retardation. Ingestion of aspartame can increase the levels of phenylalanine. Although the effects of aspartame on patients with phenylketonuria are not completely understood, usage of this sweetener is not suggested.
Ochular Issues
In a 2009 issue of "Cases Report," a woman experiencing progressively worse headaches, vertigo and nausea was diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis, a disorder that involves infection of the ear that can cause vertigo. The patient stopped taking aspartame and her symptoms rapidly vanished. Fifteen years later, her brother began experiencing hearing loss in his right ear and after medical tests didn't reveal a cause, he too removed aspartame from the diet and his symptoms returned to normal.
Other Side Effects
According to the 2011 article in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," Dr. M Kirsten Bradsiock reports several incidences of aspartame-related side effects in both men and women. For example, a female patient reported a painful skin rash which lasted for several days after ingesting aspartame, while another woman reported a severe headache. In males, reported side effects included insomnia and depression.
Cautions
Although the FDA has indicated that aspartame is safe as a food additive, there are important caveats. Anything natural or synthesized that is put into our bodies can have a wide variety of side effects. Side effects are very individualized, however. If aspartame makes you feel ill, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Additives
- MedlinePlus: Phenylketonuria
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Aspartame-Sweetened Beverage: Effect on Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Normal Adults and Adults Heterozygous for Phenylketonuria; Lewis D. Stegink, Louise C Wolf-Novak, L J. Filer, Jr., E. F. Bell, E. E. Ziegler,November 1987
- "Cases Journal"; Vestibulocochlear Toxicity in a Pair of Siblings 15 Years Apart Secondary to Aspartame: Two Case Reports; Paul Pisarik and Dasha Kai; September 2009
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Evaluation of Reactions to Food Additives: the Aspartame Experience; M Kirsten Bradsiock, Mary K Serdula, James S Marks, Robert J Barnard, Nancy T Crane, etal; March 1986
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