Artificial Sweeteners Tyler Banks April 24, 2006

Overview 5 approved artificial sweeteners Specifics about aspartame Aspartame chemistry Aspartame controversy Questions/Comments

Artificial Sweeteners 5 Artificial sweeteners have been approved in the United States: Saccharin Sucralose Acesulfame potassium Neotame Aspartame

Saccharin “…saccharin’s safety is supported by 30 human studies, a century of use, the approval of the World Health Organization and 100 countries around the world, as well as leading health groups.” Oldest artificial sweetener; discovered in times sweeter than sucrose Sweet’N Low Studies show correlation between saccharin use and cancer

Sucralose “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar” Discovered in 1976 Splenda Stable at high temperatures times sweeter than sucrose

Acesulfame Potassium “Around 90 studies have been conducted on this sweetener, with no documented health risks.” Discovered in 1967 Approved in the United States since 1988 Sunett, Sweet One times sweeter than sucrose

Neotame 8,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose Approved in July 2002 Rapidly eliminated through normal body processes

Aspartame Discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter Nutrasweet Equal Natrataste Ingredient of approximately 5,000 consumer food and beverages times sweeter than sucrose

History of Aspartame Discovered in 1965 On market since 1979 Since 1967, more than 200 studies have been done on aspartame 1983-approved for use in carbonated beverages 1993-approved for use in baked goods and other beverages 1996-approved for use in all foods 1992-patent expired

Products Containing Aspartame Diet Soda Chewing Gum Breakfast cereals Vitamins Drugs Table-top sweeteners

Benefits of Aspartame Low calories Diabetic use Reduces tooth decay Similar taste to sugar Small amount needed for a sweet taste Enhances and extends flavor

Disadvantages of Aspartame Not stable at high temperatures Not proven safe for children Contains methanol, which can affect vision FDA controversy

Chemistry of Aspartame Composed of 2 amino acids Breaks down into Methanol Aspartic Acid Phenylalanine Methanol Aspartic Acid Phenylalanine

Methanol 10wt% of aspartame is broken down into methanol Methanol is converted to formaldehyde Scientists are unsure if this is a problem

Methanol: A Problem?? Not enough methanol absorbed to cause toxicity Already a by-product of human metabolism More methanol in alcoholic beverages and fruit juices than the amount derived from aspartame ingestion

Methanol: A Problem?? Alcoholic beverages and fruit juices always contain protective chemicals like ethanol Levels of formaldehyde have been proven to cause chronic toxicity in humans Levels of methanol in human metabolism are controlled

Aspartic Acid 40wt% of aspartame is broken down into aspartic acid In a class of chemicals known as excitotoxins High levels of excitotoxins have been shown to cause damage to areas of the brain

Phenylalanine 50wt% of aspartame is broken down into phenylalanine Phenylketonuria is an inability to metabolize phenylalanine

Phenylalanine If consumed in high quantities may cause: Seizures Severe mood swings Anxiety Increase in blood pressure If consumed during pregnancy, can result in complications

Sweeteners Daily Intake SweetenerAcceptable Daily Intake Estimated Daily Intake Acesulfame Potassium Saccharin50.83 Aspartame508.7 Sucralose51.6 Neotame180.1 *The Acceptable Daily Intake is determined by the FDA ** The Estimated Daily Intake is based on the amount consumed by people whose intake exceeds that of 90% of the population

Aspartame and the Public “Since aspartame is broken down into these components before it is absorbed into the blood stream, aspartame in its initial form does not have the opportunity to travel to target organs, including the brain, to cause cancer.” - American Cancer Society “Brain tumor rates have risen in line with aspartame consumption” - John Olney

Aspartame and the FDA FDA receives more complaints related to aspartame than any other food additive 92 different health effects have been reported to the FDA

Symptoms Abdominal pain Excessive thirst Arthritis Diarrhea Dizziness Headaches Irritability Joint pains Nausea Rapid heartbeat Poor memory Breathing difficulty Slurring speech Itching

Previous Research UW-Madison research Washington research Medical World News Arizona State University Arizona Department of Health Morando Soffritti

Why is nothing happening? No scientific evidence FDA Huge Industry Any others people can think of?

Questions/Comments???

References Artificial sweeteners: Okay in Moderation. (2004). Harvard Womens Health Watch. 11 (11) Harder, B. Not So Sweet. Science News. 169 (7). Hull, J. (2005). The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners. Total Health. 27 (1) Thomas, P. (2005). Aspartame. The Ecologist. 35 (7)