Fructose

Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that is widely used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products. It is a non-saccharide sweetener, meaning it does not belong to the family of natural sugars like sucrose or fructose. Aspartame is composed of two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, linked together with a methyl ester bond. This sweetener is known for its intense sweetness, being approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, which allows for its use in very small quantities to achieve the desired level of sweetness in food and drinks. Aspartame has gained popularity as an alternative to sugar due to its minimal impact on caloric intake, making it suitable for individuals aiming to reduce their sugar consumption or manage their weight. Upon ingestion, aspartame is broken down into its component amino acids and a small amount of methanol, which is further metabolized into formaldehyde and formic acid. However, the quantities produced are well within the range deemed safe by regulatory authorities, and the body's natural metabolic processes handle them efficiently.