Neotame is a sugar substitute that is much sweeter than regular sugar and is used as a flavor enhancer in processed foods. It is considered safe for human consumption by the FDA and has benefits for diabetics and those with phenylketonuria. However, some health advocates have expressed concern about its potential carcinogenic effects and some people may experience allergic reactions. Neotame is used in a variety of processed foods and is labeled as sugar-free.
Neotame is a sugar substitute that is 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than regular table sugar. Like other artificial sweeteners, only a small amount of the substance is needed to be an effective flavor enhancer. In fact, this is what makes neotame of great interest to food manufacturers, as it is considerably less expensive to use as a sweetener than refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
Manufactured by NutraSweet, neotame is a member of the family of artificial sweeteners, which include sucralose, acesulfame potassium, saccharin and aspartame. The latter sugar substitute is also manufactured by NutraSweet and sold under the same name. Additionally, neotame has a chemical structure more similar to aspartame than other synthetic sweeteners, although it is considered more heat stable. In fact, it can be used in the kitchen and in the oven.
Because artificial sweeteners are considered food additives, they must be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they can be made available to consumers. The FDA considered 113 animal and human safety studies and determined that neotame is safe for human consumption in 2002. However, some health advocates have expressed concern about the potential carcinogenic effects of all artificial sweeteners. , including the neotame. Of course, according to the manufacturer, the studies cited above provide ample evidence that neotame does not cause cancer.
In addition to being able to enjoy sugary foods without adding carbohydrates or calories to the diet, neotame may provide benefits to those with certain medical conditions without further compromising their health. For example, neotame does not affect glucose levels in diabetics. This product is also considered safe for people with phenylketonuria, a rare genetic disorder in which the body lacks sufficient levels of the enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase. This is due to the presence of 3,3-dimethylbutyl in neotame, which suppresses the activity of proteolysis and, subsequently, the production and release of the amino acid phenylalanine. Also, neotame does not promote tooth decay.
In addition to use as a tabletop sweetener, neotame has been approved for use in various processed foods, including puddings and gelatin mixes, canned fruits, fruit juices, jams, jellies, and syrups. It can also be found in baked goods, frozen desserts, soft drinks and chewing gum. Typically, many of these products are labeled sugar-free or sugar-free.
The safety concerns about neotame stem from several issues. For one thing, some naysayers argue that there were few human-based safety studies submitted to the FDA, and all of the study subjects were employees of the manufacturer. Some groups also argue that artificial sweeteners have an addictive quality, although there is little or no documentation to support this claim. However, it is evident from the medical literature that several study subjects reported mild to moderate allergic reactions, particularly headaches. Although the results of both short- and long-term studies indicate that neotame has no significant toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic effects, there is evidence to suggest that a small percentage of the population may experience allergic reactions and should avoid using it.
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