Phenylalanine in diet soda: Can it kill you?

Phenylalanine in diet soda: Is it harmful?

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that serves as building blocks of protein. It is usually found in protein rich food such cheese, poultry, milk, fish, nuts, seeds and red meat. Diet foods that have aspartame such as diet soda may also contain phenylalanine. Naturally occurring phenylalanine are easily digested by the body. Studies also show that synthetic form of phenylalanine is also well tolerated by the human body.

If phenylalanine is safe, why is it that some soda drinks pose warning against it?

A lot of people who come across the warnings about phenylalanine in diet soda labels assume that phenylalanine is bad for the health. After all, most all warning signs are meant to alert people against some kind of hazard. Fortunately, phenylalanine is not harmful and only people who are suffering from phenylketonuria (PKU) may develop some adverse reactions to it. Unless you have this type of disorder, you do not have anything to worry about consuming reasonable amounts of phenylalanine.

PKU is a rare disorder that prevents the body from processing phenylalanine. Infants and children with undiagnosed and untreated PKU are at risk of mental disorder and seizures. On the other hand, adults who have this kind of disorder usually do not show overt symptoms of the disease until such time when they ingest a fairly large amount of phenylalanine. But the disease is very rare and is detected very early in life.

Can a single can of diet soda trigger adverse reactions in adults who are suffering from PKU?

Some people with severe case of PKU will show symptoms while those who only have mild PKU may not. However, we should not tempt faith when it comes to these things. If you have this type of disorder, you should avoid diet soda which contains phenylalanine. No, pregnant women should avoid food that contains high levels of phenylalanine. According to experts, high levels of phenylalanine in the blood of an expectant modern can affect the brain development of the unborn.

To be sure that you do not suffer from PKU, get yourself checked over completely. But cutting down your soft drink intake is really great for you too!