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MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How sweet is aspartame?
Aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and as a result only very small quantities are required to ensure an excellent sweet taste. A can of soft drink sweetened with sugar contains about 150 Calories, compared to only one or two Calories in a can of soft drink sweetened with aspartame.
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Aspartame is the ideal alternative to sugar with virtually no Calories. It is of special benefit to diabetics and slimmers, as well as for all of us who want to maintain a well-balanced healthy diet. In addition, since it is sugar-free, aspartame can make an important contribution to good dental health.
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Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested ingredients in our food supply. It has been approved by health and regulatory authorities in 100 countries throughout the world. Numerous organisations, including experts of the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, the European Union's Scientific Committee for Food, and the United States Food & Drug Administration have approved the use of aspartame in food and drinks.
Aspartame is safe for the general population, including pregnant
women and nursing mothers, children, diabetics and slimmers.
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Aspartame is one of the most widely used sweetening ingredients in the world. Products sweetened with aspartame make an enjoyable contribution to a healthier diet. For example, by using table-top sweeteners to sweeten hot and cold drinks, such as tea, coffee and home made lemonade, you can reduce both your calorie and carbohydrate intake. Products sweetened with aspartame can also be used in the preparation and creation of low-calorie savoury and sweet dishes which can be made at home.
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Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid (that is, an amino acid which our bodies cannot make and so we must obtain it from our diet). It is also one of the amino acids which is used to make aspartame. Phenylalanine is found in all protein-containing foods including milk, cheese, eggs, meat and fish.
Products which contain aspartame have a label which says 'Contains a source of phenylalanine'. This label is there to help people with the rare inherited genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU). These people cannot metabolise phenylalanine from any source and need to follow a very strict diet to avoid this amino acid. The disorder affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies born in the UK. A screening programme has been in place since 1969 for all new born babies which includes tests for PKU
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Aspartame is made from two amino acids, which are parts of protein. Aspartame provides the taste of sugar but very few calories
For people on the Atkins Diet, aspartame is ideal as it is does not contain any carbohydrates
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Are products with aspartame suitable for people on the low GI Diet?
Yes. Glycaemic Index (GI) ratings range between zero and 100 with 55 and below being low GI, 56-69 medium GI and 70+ high GI. Aspartame has no carbohydrates, which means that it does not affect blood glucose levels and has no GI rating. Sugar, on the other hand, has a GI rating of 68. This means that it has a medium GI and causes blood sugar levels to rise and then fall relatively quickly (within approximately one hour).
If you are on a low GI diet, you should choose foods that have a low Glycaemic Index. These foods release energy slowly and help avoid peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels. Aspartame in food and drinks significantly reduces the overall GI. A regular low fat, fruit yoghurt, for example, has a GI of 33 when sweetened with sugar but just 17 when sweetened with aspartame.
A low GI diet is suitable for everyone. It can help you to lose weight and keep it off, and is particularly suitable for diabetics as it is designed to help manage blood glucose levels. More low GI information on this website or visit our aspartame and low GI diet website
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Other Info
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