Question

Individuals with the disease phenylketonuria (PKU) should NOT consume the artificial sweetener aspartame. Why?

A. People with PKU are highly prone to development of diabetes.
B. People with PKU are allergic to the sweetener.
C. People with PKU experience severe headaches when they consume aspartame.
D. People with PKU cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine.

Answer 1

Answer:

D

Explanation:

People with PKU are not prone to diabetes, but mental disorders. Cross out A.

PKU does not have allergies as a listed side effect, so even if its possible people could be allergic to the sweetener, its not because of PKU. Cross out B.

C is a possible answer to the question, but is unlikely as it may not happen to all people with PKU, even if it could. Cross out C.

Phenylketonuria is a disease stemming from the body's failure to metabolize, so even without knowing the properties of aspartame, D seems to be the correct answer.