Question

James, a 185 lbs male, drinks three 20 oz. bottles of Diet Coke within 24 hours. Assuming this is James’ only source of aspartame for that day, did he exceed his aspartame ADI? (Helpful Notes: The FDA estimates an ADI of 50 mg/kg bodyweight per day.[1] The Coca Cola Company estimates 125 mg aspartame in an 8 oz. can of diet coke.[5] There is 0.4538 kg per 1 lb.) Show all work.

Answer 1

James weighs 185 lbs = (185 lbs)*(0.4538 kg/1 lb) = 83.953 kg (since 0.4538 kg = 1 lb).

James drinks three 20 oz. bottles of diet coke; therefore, the total intake on diet coke in 24 hrs = (3*20) oz = 60 oz.

There is 125 mg aspartame in an 8 oz. can of diet coke; therefore, amount of aspartame in 60 oz. diet coke that James drank = (125 mg/8 oz.)*(60 oz.) = 937.5 mg.

Next find the amount of aspartame per kg of body weight = (mass of aspartame)/(weight of body in kg) = (937.5 mg)/(83.953 kg) = 11.1669 mg/kg ≈ 11.170 mg/kg (ans).

Since the amount of aspartame turns out to be 11.170 mg/kg body weight and the FDA estimates an ADI of 50 mg/kg, therefore, James did not exceed his aspartame ADI (ans).