By Gabby Shacknai Since the FDA approved it in 1981, the artificial sweetener Aspartame, which is commonly used as a supplement to sugar in low-calorie foods and drinks, has been subject to claims that it is responsible for everything from depression to cancer . However, chemistry has recently debunked many of those myths. Show your class this video from the American Chemical Society , then have them answer the following questions. When and how was aspartame discovered? Into what the three compounds does your body break down aspartame? What is formic acid and where does it come from? Why do you think people have focused on the negative health effects of aspartame when juice has up to five times more methanol than diet soda? Do you know if anything you eat or drink contains aspartame? Does this study change your opinion of foods and drinks that contain aspartame? Would it change your eating/drinking habits?