Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute. Aspartame (L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) is a low-calorie sweetener used to sweeten a wide variety of low- and reduced-calorie foods and beverages, including low-calorie tabletop sweeteners. Aspartame is composed of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, as the methyl ester. Upon digestion, aspartame breaks down into three components (aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol), which are then absorbed into the blood and used in normal body processes. 200 times sweeter than sucrose, it is metabolized as a protein and its subsequent amino-acids used up in their respective mechanisms.