Is aspartame safe for you Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Is aspartame safe for you - Research Paper Example Aspartame’s health concerns have been an issue of debate lately and this is why it is surrounded by controversies. In this paper the impact of Aspartame will be analyzed. Researches on Aspartame have revealed more than a few negative effects of regular usage of Aspartame especially the way it affects human brain’s cellular activity. In a research it was concluded that â€Å"excessive aspartame ingestion might be involved in the pathogenesis of certain mental disorders (DSM-IV-TR 2000) and also in compromised learning and emotional functioning† (Humphries et al., 2007). It happens so because of the highly toxic derivatives created in the body after the consumption of aspartame. Once ingested, aspartame breaks down intotoxic derivatives because of the presence of 50% phenylalanine, 40% aspartic acid,10% methanol/wood alcohol in its formula which formsformaldehyde (a colorless toxin) and a carcinogen called diketopiperazine in the body. (Humphries et al., 2007) Cumulatively, these toxins are responsible for affecting neurotransmitter regulation. In some studies, aspartame was regarded as the potential prompter, encourager or aggravator of risky pregnancy and cancer. The chemicals that break down after the use of aspartame pose immense threat to the developing fetus as well as the mother because it damages brain activity and can cause birth defects, reported Dr. Russell Blaylock (Raffelock, 2010). Just one can of diet soft drink containing aspartame can cause salient health-affecting symptoms in pregnant ladies such as nausea, headaches/migraines, numbness and dizziness to name a few alongwith increasing the risk of pre-mature baby birth by 78% (Chitty, 2011). Similarly, the risk of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) can also considerably increase with daily intake of aspartame. (Chitty, 2011) This happens due to the formation of excitotoxins like Domoic acid and glutamate by phenylalanine that stimulates the brain cells negatively to