What is aspartame?

Aspartame is one of the most common artificial sweeteners in use today. It is sold under the brand names NutraSweet ® and Equal ®. Aspartame is made by joining together the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are found naturally in many foods. read more

Aspartame (APM) is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. In the European Union, it is codified as E951. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. read more

Aspartame has both pros and cons when considering diabetes and obesity. First, the Mayo Clinic states that, in general, artificial sweeteners may be beneficial for those with diabetes. Still, this doesn’t necessarily mean that aspartame is the best sweetener of choice — you should ask your doctor first. read more