ASPARTAME Meaning and
Definition
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Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that is commonly used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products. It is chemically derived from the two naturally occurring amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. The sweet taste of aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than that of regular sugar, which allows for its use in tiny quantities, effectively reducing the calorie content in products.
This sweetener is often utilized in a wide range of food items including soft drinks, desserts, candies, chewing gum, and even some pharmaceutical drugs. Aspartame provides a sweet taste without significantly impacting blood sugar levels, making it an appealing option for individuals with diabetes or those who are aiming to consume fewer calories.
When consumed, aspartame is broken down into its constituent amino acids and a small amount of methanol, which is further metabolized into harmless substances. It is important to note that aspartame may not be suitable for individuals with a rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU leads to an inability to metabolize phenylalanine, one of the components of aspartame, which can result in elevated levels of this amino acid in the blood and could have detrimental effects.
Regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have extensively reviewed and approved the use of aspartame as a safe artificial sweetener for consumption by the general population.
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Etymology of ASPARTAME
The word aspartame is derived from the combination of two key components: aspartic acid and phenylalanine.
One of the components, aspartic acid, was named after asparagus from which it was first isolated. It comes from the Latin term ‘asparagus,’ which was derived from the Greek word ‘asparagos.’
The other component, phenylalanine, is named as such because it has an aromatic ring structure called phenyl and it is an amino acid called alanine.
The combination of these two components gives us the word aspartame.
Similar spelling words for ASPARTAME
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