HealthAugust 3, 2026

aspartame

AS-per-taym

Definition

A common synthetic, low-calorie sweetener used as a sugar substitute in various food products and beverages, including diet sodas.

Etymology

The name is a portmanteau derived from its chemical components: aspartic acid and phenylalanine, with the suffix '-ame' added as a shortened form of methyl ester.

In the news

The article identifies aspartame as one of the specific low-calorie sweeteners examined in a study that found a link between regular consumption and accelerated cognitive decline in adults under 60.

Study reveals alarming problem linked to drinking Diet Coke daily

Read the full article ↗

thestreet.com

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