E951: Nutrition, Pros & Cons
E951 (Aspartame) is a popular low-calorie artificial sweetener used globally and in India as a sugar substitute. While it assists in immediate calorie reduction and does not spike blood glucose, it is a source of phenylalanine and must be strictly avoided by individuals with the genetic disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU).
Pros
- Provides an intense sweet taste with negligible calories, helping to replace free sugars in the diet. [FSSAI]
- Does not promote tooth decay or acute glycemic spikes when replacing sugar. [PubMed]
Cons
- Contains phenylalanine, which is highly toxic to individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and requires a mandatory warning label on packaging. [FSSAI]
- Emerging studies suggest potential long-term alterations to sweet taste receptors and gut microbiota diversity with high consumption. [PubMed]
Key nutrients
- Phenylalanine — An amino acid breakdown product of aspartame that is hazardous to individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU).