Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are the two amino acids that make up Aspartame as the methyl ester. The building components of protein are amino acids. Protein-rich foods including meats, cereals, and dairy products naturally contain aspartic acid and phenylalanine as well. Methyl esters are also naturally present in a variety of meals, including juices from fruits, vegetables, and other produce. Aspartame is broken down during digestion into three substances: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and a trace amount of methanol. These substances are subsequently taken into the circulation and employed in regular bodily functions. Neither aspartame nor the substances it contains build up in the body. The body uses these ingredients in the same manner it does when it gets them from typical foods.
In addition, the levels of these substances in Aspartame are negligible in comparison to those in other dietary sources. For instance, when compared to a comparable amount of a diet beverage sweetened 100% with aspartame, a cup of nonfat milk has roughly 6 times as much phenylalanine and 13 times as much aspartic acid. Similarily, a serving of tomato juice contains almost 6 times as much methanol as an equivalent serving of an aspartame-containing diet beverage.
