Aspartame Poisoning
User Manual
Tarah Cleveland
Megan Trautman
Marisa Meyer-Klubben
Joanna Garcia
Staying COMM, Cool & Collected
4Brain Campaign ©2014
Communications 360
1.0 ABSTRACT
Aspartame is one of the world’s most well-known artificial sweeteners; it is 200
times sweeter than sugar and is used in over 6,000 foods and beverages consumed
around the world (American Cancer Society, 2014). As of March 2013, the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) reported 10,000 complaints from people experiencing
92 symptoms caused by aspartame consumption (Webb, 2013). The excessive use
of aspartame can be lethal, resulting in a condition called aspartame poisoning
(American Cancer Society, 2014). The following report presents an introduction, a
brief history, signs, symptoms, and treatments of aspartame poisoning. The report
also includes survey results collected from faculty, staff, and students at Valley City
State University (VCSU) about aspartame consumption as well as acceptable daily
intakes of aspartame poisoning. The research conducted by the 4BrainCampaign
suggests that aspartame may lead to other health complications in addition to
aspartame poisoning.
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2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 ABSTRACT............................................................................................................ II
2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. III
3.0 TOOLS & COMPONENTS......................................................................................... IV
4.0 PURPOSE, IMPORTANCE & SCOPE ............................................................................. V
4.1 ASPARTAME POISONING ...................................................................................... V
4.2 PURPOSE ......................................................................................................... V
4.3 IMPORTANCE .................................................................................................... V
4.4 SCOPE ............................................................................................................. V
5.0 KEY COMPONENTS OF ASPARTAME POISONING ........................................................... VI
5.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. VI
5.2 HISTORY ......................................................................................................... VI
5.3 FOODS ........................................................................................................... VI
5.4 SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... VI
5.6 FACT .............................................................................................................. VI
5.7 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS ......................................................................................... VII
5.8 TREATMENT .................................................................................................... VII
5.9 SURVEY & RESULTS .......................................................................................... VII
5.10 ANALYSIS ..................................................................................................... VII
6.0 QUESTION & ANSWER ......................................................................................... VIII
7.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ IX
8.0 GLOSSARY .......................................................................................................... XI
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3.0 TOOLS & COMPONENTS
The purpose of this manual is to educate audience members on aspartame poisoning by
providing information the following components:
- History of aspartame poisoning
- Effects of aspartame on the body
- Foods containing aspartame
- Signs and symptoms of aspartame poisoning
- Treatment for aspartame poisoning
- *Research and responses from VCSU students, faculty, and staff survey
*The 4BrainCampaign conducted a survey to gain insights as to what the average daily
aspartame consumption is in relation to the acceptable daily intake. Our goal was to
collect and analyze the obtained data to get a better indication of the likelihood or risk
of aspartame poisoning on the VCSU campus.
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4.0 PURPOSE, IMPORTANCE, & SCOPE
4.1 Aspartame Poisoning
The research completed by the 4BrainCampaign resulted in definition, history, signs, symptoms,
treatments, and conclusions of aspartame poisoning. Aspartame poisoning is like an allergic reaction. It
is the human body’s reaction to the continuous use of the artificial sweetener aspartame (Smith, 1981).
Aspartame consists of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame was approved for use in foods in
1981 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); it is found in nearly 6000 foods sold in stores around
the world; it may be found naturally in fruits and vegetables as well (Smith, 1981).
4.2 Purpose
The purpose of this report is to make audience members aware of the aspartame contained in the
everyday foods sold in stores and restaurants globally. The purpose of the aspartame poisoning
presentation is not to eliminate all aspartame consumption. Aspartame consumption is inevitable
because of its broad distribution. The presentation has been made to educate audiences on the signs,
symptoms, and available treatments for aspartame poisoning.
4.3 Importance
Since aspartame is so widely distributed and readily available, it is important to be educated on its
harmful side effects to the human body. Aspartame may cause physical, neurological, gastrointestinal,
and psychological complications in the body (Smith, 1981). These problems have been recognized by 92
different symptoms reported to the FDA (American Cancer Society, 2014). The audiences that read this
manual and aspartame poisoning presentation may learn the warning signs and symptoms of
aspartame. In addition, this report specifies the acceptable daily intakes of aspartame for humans based
upon body weight. Those that are mindful of aspartame consumption may avoid aspartame poisoning as
well as the damaging effects that aspartame may have on the body.
4.4 Scope
The scope of this research is to deliver information to the course instructor and online students of
Communications 360. The project was completed in coordination with the Valley City State University
portfolio project requirements.
The research conducted and presented incorporates secondary resources from the Internet. Primary
research was also collected in the form of a survey including faculty, staff, and students of Valley City
State University. This survey requested data on the aspartame consumption in a typical day and a typical
week of the participants.
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5.0 KEY COMPONENTS OF ASPARTAME POISONING
5.1 Introduction
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in place of sugar. Aspartame poisoning is
the shock in the body that is created by overuse of aspartame. This poisoning can lead to serious
side effects (Smith, 1981).
5.2 History
“In one study, a group of 320 rats exposed to aspartame experienced 12 brain tumors,
while the control had only one tumor—a disparity that my intuitively interesting but that all
parties agree is not statistically significant” (Aspartame, p. 2).
5.3 Foods
Aspartame is found in about 6000 products worldwide. This seems shocking, but perhaps
what is more shocking is that aspartame is found in foods we consider to be healthy such as fruits
and vegetables. However, fruits and vegetables contain very low amounts of aspartame when
compared with carbonated beverages or sugar-free candies (Aspartame: How Is Aspartame
Regulated, 2014).
5.4 Summary
According to the American Cancer Society (2014), the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has regulated the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of aspartame to 50 milligrams per kilogram
of body weight.
This means that an adult that weighs 165 pounds (75 kilograms) could consume 3,750
milligrams of aspartame per day.
5.5 Side Effects
The systems of aspartame affect the body in many different ways including physically,
psychologically, gastrointestinally and neurologically.
5.6 Facts
Aspartame was discovered on accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D.
Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug (Mercola.com, 2011).
Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives
reported to the FDA (Mercola.com, 2011).
Aspartame is 40% aspartic acid, which is harmful to our health. It can cause a myriad of
symptoms, but the most serious include neurological disorders (Mercola.com, 2011).
Aspartame has 10% wood alcohol/poison and yet, it still is added to our foods. Aspartame
was approved for use in soft drinks in 1983 (Mercola.com, 2011).
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5.7 Signs & Symptoms
Ninety-two different health symptoms were reported from aspartame consumption,
according to the FDA. Physical, Neurological, Gastrointestinal, and Psychological/Psychiatric
symptoms affect individuals from aspartame poisoning.
5.8 Treatment
It can take up 6 weeks to a year to recover from Aspartame Poisoning. It all depends on
how long the chemicals were used.
5.9 Survey & Results
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There were 82 participants in the survey.
The average survey completion time was 4 minutes.
Between 11% and 14% of participants completed the open response questions.
Nearly 98% of participants completed the first question about daily aspartame
consumption.
Nearly 89% participants completed the second question on the survey regarding weekly
aspartame consumption.
5.10 Analysis
Table-top sweeteners, gelatin/pudding, and hot chocolate mix were the three least likely
consumed products in a typical day.
This seems interesting especially for college students that are likely to mix sweetener with
the abundantly-consumed: coffee.
Cereal, chewing gum, and juice drinks were the top three most likely consumed (1-3
times) products in a typical day.
Chewing gum and carbonated soft drinks were the top two most likely consumed (4 or
more times) products in a typical day.
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6.0 QUESTION & ANSWER
Q: What is the title of your group?
A: 4BrainCampaign
Q: What is your group’s slogan?
A: “COMM, Cool & Collected”
Q: Who are your group members?
A: Tarah Cleveland, Joanna Garcia, Marisa Meyer-Klubben, and Megan Trautman.
Q: What are your roles in the group?
A: Tarah: Organizer. Joanna: Communicator. Marisa: Editor. Megan: Editor.
Q: What method did you use to present your findings?
A: PowerPoint presentation.
Q: What topic did you research?
A: The 4BrainCampaign researched aspartame and aspartame poisoning.
Q: When was aspartame discovered?
A: Aspartame was discovered in 1961.
Q: What is the most surprising piece of information that you found?
A: Aspartame is contained in around 6000 common foods.
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8.0 REFERENCES
American Cancer Society. (2014). Retrieved December 6, 2014 from
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/aspartame
Aspartame. (2014, May 28). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/aspartame
Aspartame Consumption. (November 29, 2014).
Aspartame Information Center. (1985). Aspartame. Reactions 133.1. 2-6. Retrieved November 28, 2014,
from http://www.aspartame.org/wp-content/uploads/2009Aspartamebrochure.pdf
Aspartame Information Service. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.aspartame.net/?gclid=CMevzqGrcICFeE-MgodRxAA8A
Aspartame Poisoning. (2014). MD Health. Retrieved from http://www.md-health.com/AspartamePoisoning.html
Aspartame Side Effects. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-sideeffects.html
Brahmini, M. et al. (2012, May-June). Myths and Facts about Aspartame and Sucralose: A Critical
Review. IJRAP. Retrieved from http://www.ijrap.net/admin/php/uploads/808_pdf.pdf
Consumer Products. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 28, 2014, from
http://www.aspartame.org/about/consumer-products/#.VHk6q43wvVJ
Ellen Whipple Guthrie, P. (n.d.). Examining the Safety of Aspartame. Multiple Sclerosis
Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.msfocus.org/article-details.aspx?articleID=40
Familydoctor.org editorial staff. (2010). What is Aspartame? Retrieved November 28, 2014 from
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/food-nutrition/sugar-andsubstitutes/sugar-substitutes-what-you-need-to-know/aspartame-what-you-need-toknow.html?WT.srch=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NB_GOOGLE_NONE_PS
_US_Aspartame%20|%20Broad_KENS_CPC_SCH&utm_term=aspartame%20dangers
Gennet, R. (2011). Donald Rumsfeld and the Strange History of Aspartame. Retrieved from Huffington
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Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robbie-gennet/donald-rumsfeld-and-the-s_b_805581.html
Gerson, C. (2006). Aspartame, NutraSweet, equal, spoonful: The Poison in some 5,000 food products.
21. Gerson Healing Newsletter. Retrieved Dec 12 2014 from
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Aspartame%2c+Nutrasweet%2c+equal%2c+spoonful%3a+the+Poison+in+
some+5%2c000+food...-a0169164797
Gold, M. D. (2002). Reported Aspartame Toxicity Effects. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/jan03/012203/02p-0317_emc-000199.txt
Novella, S. (2010). Aspartame: Truth vs Fiction. Retrieved December 1, 2014 from
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/aspartame-truth-vs-fiction/
Smith, J. (1981, August 28). Aspartame approved despite risks. 213. Science.
doi:10.1126/science.7268411
Webb, G. (2013, March 19). Is the Artificial Sweetener Aspartame Really a Problem? The Legal Examiner.
Retrieved December 6, 2014 from http://charlottesville.legalexaminer.com/toxic-substances/is-theartificial-sweetener-aspartame-really-a-problem/
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7.0 GLOSSARY
Aspartame- a white, crystalline, odorless, slightly water-soluble non-carbohydrate powder, C 14
H 18 N 2 O 5, synthesized from amino acids, that is 150–200 times as sweet as sugar: used as a
low-calorie sugar substitute in soft drinks, table sweeteners, and other food products.
Aspartic acid- a nonessential amino acid, C 4 H 7 NO 4, produced by the hydrolysis of
asparagine and proteins, found chiefly in young sugar cane and sugar-beet molasses, and used
in the preparation of culture media and as a dietary supplement. Symbol: D. Abbreviation: Asp;
Gastrointestinal- of, relating to, or affecting the stomach and intestines.
Eczema- an inflammatory condition of the skin attended with itching and the exudation of
serous matter.
Insomnia- inability to obtain sufficient sleep, especially when chronic; difficulty in falling or
staying asleep; sleeplessness.
Nausea- sickness at the stomach, especially when accompanied by a loathing for food and an
involuntary impulse to vomit.
Neurological- the science of the nerves and the nervous system, especially of the diseases
affecting them.
Phenylalanine- a crystalline, water-soluble, essential amino acid, C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH(NH 2)COOH,
necessary to the nutrition of humans and most animals, obtained chiefly from egg white or
skim milk. Symbol: F. Abbreviation: Phe;
Phobias- a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a
compelling desire to avoid it.
Physical- of or relating to the body
Psychological- of, pertaining to, dealing with, or affecting the mind, especially as a function of
awareness, feeling, or motivation: psychological play; psychological effect.
Seizures- a sudden attack, as of epilepsy or some other disease.
Tremors- involuntary shaking of the body or limbs, as from disease, fear, weakness, or
excitement; a fit of trembling.
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