An example is the aspartame found in diet soda. Focusing on diet soda, it is proven to be linked to even more diseases and causes more side effects than regular soda. Additionally, “Numerous studies in recent years have reported links between diet soda and weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, and other health problems. More recently, headlines have raised alarms about an increased likelihood of dementia and stroke among diet soda drinkers” (Is Drinking…). The aspartame used in diet soda is the main culprit for the effects of diet sodas. In fact, “aspartame accounts for more than 75% of adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious, including seizures and death” (Aspartame…). Aspartame is a man-made chemical composed of aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. With aspartic acid equal to 40%, phenylalanine equal to 50% and methanol equal to 10%. Taking into consideration the phenylalanine in diet soda, “excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause decreased levels of serotonin in the brain, leading to emotional disorders such as depression” (Aspartame…). With methanol, which is found in aspartame, “…it breaks down into formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin… With a recommended consumption limit of 7.8 mg per day. A one-liter aspartame-sweetened drink (about 1 liter) contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy consumers of products containing aspartame consume up to 250 mg of methanol per day or 32 times the EPA limit” (Aspartame…). The effects of methanol are caused by formaldehyde. “Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects” (Aspartame…). Overall there is evidence that aspartame found in diet soda is linked to a number of diseases