Some reports state that aspartame is associated with health problems, from normal problems to serious illnesses. Normal problems can be 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 demonstrate the side effects or toxicity of this sweetener when applied to food. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Despite this synthetic sweetener having no consistent evidence of side effects, aspartame is still dangerous for people suffering from the disease 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 (such as 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 soon after birth. If the results show a positive for PKU, subjects will have to eat a low-phenylalanine meal for life. It is important for children to identify this disease and follow the diet because their brain is easily damaged and is still developing. Because PKU can affect the development of the fetus, this test is also important for pregnant women. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Since aspartame formula contains phenylalanine, it is necessary for people with PKU to avoid consuming aspartame with meals. Aspartame is a dipeptide methyl ester of the natural amino acids L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. Under acidic conditions in the stomach, aspartame can generate free amino acids by hydrolysis. Therefore, all products that contain this artificial sweetener in the recipe must be labeled “Phenylketonuria: contains phenylalanine”.