How your body breaks down artificial sweetener
Comparative metabolism of aspartame in experimental animals and humans.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Aspartame’s breakdown products are handled identically across six different animal species and humans.
Many assume human metabolism is uniquely sensitive to artificial compounds, but this study shows no species-specific differences — even in primates.
Practical Takeaways
If you're avoiding aspartame due to fears of 'toxic chemicals,' this study suggests it's metabolized like protein from your dinner.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Aspartame’s breakdown products are handled identically across six different animal species and humans.
Many assume human metabolism is uniquely sensitive to artificial compounds, but this study shows no species-specific differences — even in primates.
Practical Takeaways
If you're avoiding aspartame due to fears of 'toxic chemicals,' this study suggests it's metabolized like protein from your dinner.
Publication
Journal
Journal of toxicology and environmental health
Year
1976
Authors
R. E. Ranney, J. Oppermann, E. Muldoon, F. Mcmahon
Related Content
Claims (4)
When you eat aspartame, the part called aspartic acid gets broken down in your body and mostly turns into carbon dioxide, which you breathe out.
When you eat or drink something with aspartame, your body breaks it down into smaller pieces, including methanol (which turns into carbon dioxide), and two amino acids—aspatic acid and phenylalanine—that your body absorbs.
When you eat something with aspartame (a sugar substitute), your body uses the phenylalanine in it to build proteins, either as-is or after turning it into another substance called tyrosine.
When your body breaks down aspartame (an artificial sweetener), it turns into three things you already get from foods like meat, beans, and fruit—and your body doesn’t store them up over time.