When the researchers conducted spatial learning and memory tests using the Barnes maze, the aspartame mice at four months consistently moved more slowly and covered less distance during training than animals in the control group. They also took nearly twice as long on average to locate the target escape hole, showing impaired memory recall (however, this was inconsistent and not seen as statistically meaningful). By eight months, performance gaps widened even further, with two out of six aspartame-treated mice failing to complete the task at all.
It makes you dumb, unfit and fat (around the organs).
Throughout the experiment, the mice were fed standard chow (SAFE® A03 rodent chow from SAFE), and the control group was provided with normal, unadulterated drinking water, while the aspartame treated group received 0.4 % (w/v) aspartame (Tokyo Chemical Industry, CAS 22839–47–0, purity ≥) three days every two weeks, which equated to an average daily human equivalent dose of approximately 7 mg/kg/day [20]
That’s quite a bit. A can of Coke Zero has 85mg of aspartame. So for someone who weighs 68kg, they would need to drink a six pack a day to get to this dose.
Diet Dr Pepper has 180mg per can, so that’s a bit more alarming.