Some reports claim that aspartame is associated with health problems, ranging from normal problems to serious illnesses. Normal problems may include digestive symptoms, dizziness, headaches, and mood changes. Serious illnesses include diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, lupus, birth defects, Gulf War syndrome, attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis and seizures. However, recent studies cannot prove the side effect or toxicity of this sweetener when applied to foods. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Even though this synthetic sweetener has no consistent evidence of side effects, aspartame is still dangerous for people with phenylketonuria (PKU). Phenylketonuria is a rare genetic disorder in which the body cannot hydrolyze and absorb phenylalanine, a common amino acid found in several foods. Phenylalanine molecules build up in the blood, preventing other necessary substances (like amino acids) from reaching the brain. If daily phenylalanine intake is not carefully regulated, children with PKU will grow up with abnormal brain development. A routine blood test is used to determine whether or not people have PKU shortly after birth. If the results are positive for PKU, they must eat a meal low in phenylalanine for their entire life. It is important for children to identify this disease and follow the diet because their brains are easily damaged and continue to develop. Since PKU can affect fetal development, this test is also important in pregnant women. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Trial Because aspartame formula contains phenylalanine, it is necessary for people with PKU to avoid consuming aspartame in their meals. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the dipeptide of the natural amino acids L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. Under acidic conditions in the stomach, aspartame can generate free amino acids through hydrolysis. Therefore, all products containing this artificial sweetener in the recipe must be labeled as “Phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine.”.