Description
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sweetener flavor enhancer. The amino acids that compose it are two: aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and the carboxyl end of the phenylalanine is esterified with methanol. This product over the years, has been the subject of numerous controversies.
Some studies tested in laboratory on animals, have shown the appearance of tumors after taking orally this sweetener, but no study has been able to prove a cause-effect relationship between these phenomena, let alone were able to define the mechanism of action on the alleged toxicity. Safety for health, about the excessive consumption of aspartame or not, is still the subject of great controversy, including the transmission of real urban legends, since the beginning of his business, when the Food and Drugs Administration gave approval to the sale of aspartame.
Contraindications
Aspartame, has the same amount of calories of sucrose, but its sweetening power for foods and beverages is greater than about 200 times, for which reason, it only takes a very few quantity to flavor the food. People with phenylketonuria, namely the difficulty of assimilating phenylalanine, have to control the intake of aspartame, or delete it completely, as this product is mainly a source of phenylalanine. The sweetener aspartame is used as a food additive in Europe and is classified with number E951. The daily dose recommended by nutrition experts, is 40mg / kg of body weight.
Uses and consumption
The taste of aspartame is described as sweet and clean, with no bitter or metallic aftertaste, as it is often associated with other synthetic sweeteners. Compared with sucrose, its taste is very similar to that of the natural sugars. Aspartame, is introduced in the production of beverages and foods along with other flavorings, to prolong the flavor, especially in the production of fruit juices such as orange and lemon.
This product is also used in diets for the control of body weight, where there are not present the addition of sugars, but it is recommended the consumption of aspartame as a sweetener, as it only takes a very minor amount compared to the classic sugar to give flavor to the drinks or the food. In the confectionery industry, the use of aspartame is present for the realization of the classic “chewing gum”, where the aromas and aftertaste, they may be prolonged for a time greater than four times.
