Question

Aspartame is unstable at cooking temperature. Where would you suggest aspartame to be used for sweetening?
(A) Soft drinks
(B) Cold drinks
(C) Both of them
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Artificial sweeteners are the chemicals that are added to foods and beverages to make them sweet in taste, they are also called sugar substitutes. Artificial sweeteners are used for weight loss, dental problems and in case of hyperglycemia.These artificial sweeteners are generally stable at high temperature and are used while cooking.

Complete step by step answer:
Aspartame is a non-saccharide artificial sweetener. It is around $200$ times sweeter than cane sugar. It was synthesized in $1965$ in the US. It is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid. The structure of aspartame is

 Aspartame is broken down in the small intestines very quickly into residues such as  aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, it further breaks down into formaldehyde and formic acid. Aspartame is used as an ingredient in thousands of foods and beverages around the world. It includes diet sodas, soft drinks, instant breakfasts, sugar-free chewing gum, frozen desserts, gelatin made desserts, packed fruit juices, vitamin tablets, milk drinks, medicines, tabletop sweeteners, teas, coffees and yogurt etc. Aspartame is unsuitable for baking and cooking at high temperatures as compared to the other sweeteners as it breaks down on heating and loses the sweetness. The melting point of aspartame is very low, thus it is suitable mainly for foods and beverages at low temperatures. It is ideal for use in cold drinks and soft drinks as these beverages have low temperature.
Hence,the correct option is (C) both of them.

Additional information:
Aspartame is sold in the market under the trade names Equal, NutraSweet,Canderel etc.. Aspartame is one of the most controversial sweeteners in the world. It is said that aspartame can cause health problems from headaches to even cancer. But food safety authorities say it is safe for consumption.

Note:
Aspartame should be used in less quantity as it can be harmful if the intake is in excess as aspartame is high in calories and has no nutritional value. On excess intake it may even lead to some serious diseases.