Backstage conversation

We don't just ring bells in Sonos. We also engage in all sorts of interesting conversations. Before yesterday's concert, the topic turned to diet soda (that's pop to some of you) ingredients, specifically all that stuff about phenylketonuria and what that is exactly. Being the professorial sort, I explained that phenylketonuria (PKU) is not an ingredient, but a disease. Well, it's been about 30 years since I first learned about that in college, so my explanation was pretty rusty. So, today, I offer a better one.



Aspartame


Phenylanaline

The artificial sweetener called aspartame (aka Nutrasweet) is made of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylanaline. Some people are born with a genetic defect that causes their body to turn phenylanaline into another compound, phenylketone, too much of which can cause mental retardation, seizures, and other problems. People with PKU can avoid all symptoms by limiting phenylanaline in the diet. Thus, the warning on the diet soda: "Phenylketonurics: contains phenylanaline." There may be other adverse health effects from aspartame, but the science is far from clear.

OK, putting my bell ringing hat back on. Next stop is Sendai, then on to Tokyo.