Sweetness is generally correlated with sugar. The problem with sugar, also called sucrose, is that it contains a lot of calories. These calories lead to weight gain if not expended through exercise, but now that humans have the knowledge and technology to create various substances, there are artificial sweeteners that contain no calories and taste even better. sweeter than sucrose. Many Americans avoid sugary drinks by drinking drinks filled with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame to avoid gaining weight. However, studies have shown that the adverse neurological and visceral effects of aspartame demonstrate that artificial sweeteners are more harmful than helpful; therefore, artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, should not be ingested. Aspartame can cause neurological effects that are dangerous for humans. Aspartame is metabolized to 50 percent phenylalanine, 40 percent aspartic acid, and 10 percent methanol (Maher and Wurtman). The main problem lies with the isolated amino acid. Phenylalanine is a vital amino acid, but it is also a “neurotoxin”, a molecule that causes harmful effects on the brain. Increased levels of phenylalanine in the brain can repress enzymes necessary for the production of certain neurotransmitters, leading to dramatic consequences. For example, phenylalanine can suppress the enzymes needed to make the neurotransmitters serotonin, and if these neurotransmitters are not created, the body can suffer from neurological problems such as depression, anxiety, and seizures. Results of a study by Timothy J. Maher and Richard J. Wurtman show that 50 percent of laboratory rats had seizures after receiving a dose of 250 milligrams per kilogram of aspartame. A can of diet soda typically contains only 50 milligrams per kilogram of asp...... middle of paper ......exercise to prevent weight gain, or avoid sugary drinks altogether. Most people probably wouldn't choose the latter option, even though it's the healthier choice. After all, what is life without sweetness? Works Cited Collison, Kate S et al. “Prediabetic changes in gene expression induced by aspartame and monosodium glutamate in trans fat-fed C5731/6J mice.” Nutr Metab (London). 2013. PubMed Central. Internet. November 18, 2013. Maher, Timothy J and Wurtman, Richard J. "Possible Neurological Effects of Aspartame, a Widely Used Food Additive." Environmental Health Perspectives. 1987. PubMed Central. PDF file. November 18, 2013. Swithers, Susan E. “Artificial Sweeteners Produce the Counterintuitive Effect of Inducing Metabolic Derangements.” » 2013. Cellular Press. PDF file. November 19, 2013. Taubes, Gary. “Which really makes us fat.” New York Times. June 30, 2012. the web. November 29 2013.