Can aspartame pass through breast milk?

Aspartame and Breast Milk: What You Need to Know
Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, has been a topic of discussion regarding its safety for breastfeeding mothers and its potential presence in breast milk. Recent findings provide clarity on this issue, revealing that aspartame does not pass into breast milk in detectable amounts.
Rapid Breakdown in the Body
When a breastfeeding mother consumes aspartame, it is rapidly metabolized in her body. According to research, aspartame is broken down into its constituent amino acids and methanol before it can enter the bloodstream in significant quantities. This metabolic process means that after ingestion, aspartame is not detectable in breast milk.
Phenylalanine Levels
However, there is a caveat. In cases of extremely high intake—such as consuming the equivalent of 17 cans of soda or 100 packets of Equal Sweetener—there may be a slight increase in the levels of phenylalanine in breast milk. Phenylalanine is one of the amino acids that aspartame breaks down into, but even in these scenarios, the increase is minimal and unlikely to pose a risk to breastfed infants.
Safety for Breastfeeding Mothers
Health authorities generally consider aspartame safe for use during lactation. Studies indicate that nonnutritive sweeteners, including aspartame, are commonly consumed without adverse effects during breastfeeding. The consensus among health professionals is that the risk to infants appears low, making aspartame a viable option for mothers looking to reduce sugar intake while nursing.
Conclusion
In summary, aspartame does not pass into breast milk in detectable amounts, and its consumption is deemed safe for breastfeeding mothers. While excessive intake could marginally elevate phenylalanine levels, such scenarios are rare and unlikely to affect infant health. As always, mothers should consult with healthcare providers regarding their dietary choices during lactation, but current evidence supports the safe use of aspartame in moderation.

What drinks dry up breast milk?

Tips for Drying Up Your Breast Milk

• Drink one mug of sage or peppermint tea 3 or 4 times per day, for 2 to 3 days.
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help dry up your milk, but ask your doctor before using this medicine, and do not take it if you have kidney or thyroid problems, or if you have glaucoma.

Can I drink aspartame while breastfeeding?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Although it is prudent to avoid the use of aspartame in women who are nursing an infant with phenylketonuria, amounts that are typically ingested in aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages do not result in any additional risk to breastfed infants with phenylketonuria.

Can aspartame prevent pregnancy?

Aspartame may alter fertility by reserving fewer follicles in the ovary and disrupting steroidogenesis in granulosa cells. Hence, women preparing for pregnancy are suggested to reduce aspartame consumption and avoid oxidative stressors of the ovaries.

Why is Diet Coke not recommended for lactating mothers?

Consumption of diet beverages (DB) containing low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) is widespread in the United States. LCS are ingested by nursing infants upon maternal DB consumption, which may impact infants’ weight and health.

Is aspartame linked to autism?

20, 2023 – A new published study led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has found an association between autism diagnosis in boys and daily consumption of either diet soda or a comparable amount of aspartame by their mothers during pregnancy or …

How much sugar passes through breast milk?

Looking at the study data, Alderete said the average breastfeeding 1-month-old baby could consume just 10 milligrams (about a grain of rice) of fructose from breast milk a day, yet he would see adverse changes in body composition during growth.

Can a mother drink Coke while breastfeeding?

It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.

Does diet soda pass through breast milk?

Sucralose and acesulfame-potassium are the most common types of LCS, with distinct chemical and physical properties that facilitate their transfer from mothers to infants through breastmilk consumption. About 44% of lactating mothers in the United States consume LCS-containing beverages.

Does aspartame affect the fetus?

Aspartame. Aspartame is one of the most common artificial sweeteners used in food and drink. In the small intestine, aspartame breaks down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol at levels that are nontoxic to adults, children, and fetuses.

What drinks to avoid when breastfeeding?

Foods and drinks to avoid while breastfeeding
Caffeine passes into breastmilk, so large amounts of tea, coffee and cola drinks are best avoided. Drinking small amounts of drinks with caffeine (3 or less drinks a day) should not be a problem. Alcohol also passes into breastmilk and can affect your baby.