Does aspartame help people with the genetic disease phenylketonuria?
Aspartame is a sweetener that is made up of two amino acids, one of them is call phenylalanine. The digestive system of those who have the genetic disease, phenylketonuria cannot digest this amino acid. It wreaks havoc in their bodies; so it does not help but hurt. This is why there is a warning label on products with aspartame warning those with phenylketonuria that there is phenylalanine in the product.