Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. Consisting chemically of a compound that has two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) joined by a methylene group, aspartame is non-fattening and much used in "diet" foods and drinks, and in foods prepared for diabetics. It is 200 times as sweet as sugar and has none of saccharin's disadvantages. It breaks down, however, at high temperatures and is therefore unsuitable for prolonged cooking.