Why Aspartame IS scary!

I wonder if OP envisioned their post devolving into a discussion of pop rocks and 80s fashion. Oh internet.

I wish more 80s fashion would come back, i missed out on the terrible clothing fads by being too young the first time around.

Aspartame tastes chemically. I don't drink soda, but on the rare times I do, I'd rather drink a non diet one. than all that artificial funk.

To be fair to the OP, I can probably find more people's arguments against Aspartame, than for it. Lot's of people seem to think they have clear cut proof it's not good for you. Lot's of people say fluoride is a neuro-toxin - which is now in water supplies. Some people than say Hitler used fluoride in drinking water, to make the Jews more accepting on their circumstances.

I like conspiracy theories :drinker:

You can also find more people arguing that eating 5-6 meals per day 2-3 hours apart speeds up your metabolism.
You can also find more people arguing that you need to eat breakfast to start your metabolism.
However, neither one of those is true.


Also, something tells me this thread won't get stickied.

Aspartame tastes chemically. I don't drink soda, but on the rare times I do, I'd rather drink a non diet one. than all that artificial funk.

To be fair to the OP, I can probably find more people's arguments against Aspartame, than for it. Lot's of people seem to think they have clear cut proof it's not good for you. Lot's of people say fluoride is a neuro-toxin - which is now in water supplies. Some people than say Hitler used fluoride in drinking water, to make the Jews more accepting on their circumstances.

I like conspiracy theories :drinker:

You can also find more people arguing that eating 5-6 meals per day 2-3 hours apart speeds up your metabolism.
You can also find more people arguing that you need to eat breakfast to start your metabolism.
However, neither one of those is true.


Also, something tells me this thread won't get stickied.

See I knew I was gonna need my hat today...and everyone laughed...

Aspartame Is Fecal Matter of Genetically Modified E. Coli Bacteria. Want proof? Here you go. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0036258.html

The production process

The patent, which is entitled Process for producing aspartame and is credited to Bahl, Rose, and White, summarizes the process as follows:

"The artificial sweetener aspartame, a dipeptide with the formula Asp-Phe-me, is produced using a cloned micrcorganism [sic]. A DNA which codes for a large stable peptide comprised of the repeating amino acid sequence (Asp-Phe)n is inserted into a cloning vehicle which in turn is introduced into a suitable host microorganism. The host microorganism is cultured and the large peptide containing the repeating Asp-Phe sequence is harvested therefrom. The free carboxyl group of the large peptide is benzylated and then hydrolysed to benzyl Asp-Phe dipeptides. This dipeptide is methylated and then debenzylated to form aspartame."

1.) 'Cloned microorganisms' (which the patent later reveals to be genetically modified E. coli) are cultivated in tanks whose environments are tailored to help them thrive.

2.) The well-fed E. coli cultures defecate the proteins that contain the aspartic acid-phenylalanine amino acid segment needed to make aspartame.

3.) The proteins containing the Asp-Phe segments are 'harvested' (i.e. lab assistants collect the bacteria's feces).

4.) The feces are then treated. This includes a process of methylation (adding an excess of the toxic alcohol, methanol, to the protected dipeptide).

http://www.organicslant.com/0000203-aspartame-is-fecal-matter-of-genetically-modified-ecoli-bacteria.html

That is the European patent for making your beloved and UN"safe" Aspartame. Now who wants to eat some E. Coli poop? Not me!

Methods of Manufacturing:

Aspartame is produced by coupling together L-phenylalanine (or L-phenylalanine methyl ester) and L-aspartic acid, either chemically or enzymatically. The former procedure yields both the sweet alpha-aspartame and nonsweet beta-aspartame from which the alpha aspartame has to be separated and purified. The enzymatic process yields only alpha-aspartame.
[Rowe, R.C., Sheskey, P.J., Quinn, M.E.; (Eds.), Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients 6th edition Pharmaceutical Press, London, England 2009, p. 49] **PEER REVIEWED**

Production of aspartame normally starts from L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine or L-phenylalanine methyl ester. The production follows common routes of peptide synthesis, as the L-configuration of amino acids has to be retained (essential for sweetness). Common production routes require protective groups for aspartic acid. The protective groups commonly used in peptide synthesis have been suggested for aspartame synthesis, but simple protection for large-scale production can be obtained by use of formylaspartic acid anhydride. It can be reacted with phenylalanine methyl ester to N-formylaspartame, from which the protective group has to be removed. Especially simple production is possible from N-formylaspartic acid anhydride and L-phenylalanine. The resulting N-formylaspartylphenylalanine is treated with hydrochloric acid and methanol. The aspartame hydrochloride obtained can be crystallized for purification and transformed into aspartame after addition of a stoichiometric amount of a neutralizing agent. Adjustment of the solvent increases the yield by improving the ratio of alpha- to beta-isomers. Crystallization of alpha-aspartame hydrohalides is a suitable purification step, as beta-hydrohalides are more soluble.
[von Rymon Lipinski, G; Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 7th ed. (2008). NY, NY: John Wiley & Sons; Sweeteners. Online Posting Date: June 15, 2000] **PEER REVIEWED**

Method for large-scale production of aspartame ... L-aspartic acid anhydride is condensed with L-phenylalanine methyl ester to form a mixture of beta-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester and alpha-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. On acidification with hydrochloric acid, the latter precipitates and the precipitate is neutralized to form aspartame. /From table/
[Furia, T.E. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Food Additives. 2nd ed. Volume 2. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, Inc., 1980., p. 195] **PEER REVIEWED**


General Manufacturing Information:

Aspartame is the methylester of a dipeptide composed of two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. When these two amino acids are so combined to form aspartame (1-methyl N -L-a-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine), they produce an intensely sweet-tasting substance, approximately 180 times as sweet as sucrose.
[21 CFR 201.21(a) (USFDA); U.S. National Archives and Records Administration's Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Available from, as of July 29, 2010: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr **PEER REVIEWED**

A combination of aspartame with either granular or fused mannitol in a 1:9 ratio can provide a suitable base for chewable tablets with respect to sweetness, mouth feel, absence of unpleasant aftertaste, and low caloric value. Both compounds are compatible with leucine.
[El-Shattawy HH et al; Drug Dev Ind Pharm 8 (3): 429-43 (1982)] **PEER REVIEWED**

... In the July 26, 1974, decision by the FDA to approve the use of aspartame, labeling provisions were made in which foods not containing protein or intended for admixture to protein sweetened with aspartame should bear the statement "contains protein."
[Furia, T.E. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Food Additives. 2nd ed. Volume 2. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, Inc., 1980., p. 198] **PEER REVIEWED**

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@rn+@rel+22839-47-0

Honestly any fake sweatener is questionable in my mind. Stevia being the odd duck out as it's an extract from a plant [hard to be concerned there]. I had a diet pop every now and then [yes has aspartame] but otherwise keep sugars [including artificial ones] to a minimum.

Honestly any fake sweatener is questionable in my mind. Stevia being the odd duck out as it's an extract from a plant [hard to be concerned there]. I had a diet pop every now and then [yes has aspartame] but otherwise keep sugars [including artificial ones] to a minimum.

It's natural, so it must be safe. It is not like there are naturally occuring poisons out there...