Does this effect gout sufferes

In typical amounts, the metabolic breakdown products of aspartame (aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol) probably do not have significant effects for most people since the amounts are much less than is found in ordinary fruits and protein sources.

There is some indication in recent studies that overuse of low-calorie sweeteners of any kind may aggravate metabolic syndrome, apparently by causing a false trigger for insulin - there are sweetness sensors in the gut as well on the tongue, and they apparently are part of the blood sugar control system. Gout is often associated with metabolic syndrome, especially in those with Type 2 diabetes. It is possible that aspartame acts as an indirect trigger for uric acid precipitation through this link. On the other hand, if aspartame replaces fructose - a known gout trigger - in the diet, it would lead to similar relief as avoiding sweet foods and beverages completely. The only way I can think of to be certain is to measure blood sugar, insulin and uric acid levels over time with and without sweetener consumption.

The best advice I can offer is to use it in moderation, and recognize that "moderation" for you may not be very much :(.

I am not a medical professional, just someone who knows a thing or two about physiology and biochemistry among other things. Your physician should be able to give you more definitive information, in particular relating to your personal limits on the use of various sweeteners.

It seems to me that the jury is still out... if you ask gout sufferers, they swear that asparatame sweetners such as are in diet soda makes gout worse. However, if you read the latest studies published in the British Medical Journal say: "data suggest that consumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout in men. Furthermore, fructose rich fruits and fruit juices may also increase the risk. Diet soft drinks were not associated with the risk of gout". So they are clearly blaming sugar and fructose which is in regular soda pop.

The good news is that the risk of gout was found to be lower in individuals with higher vitamin C intake.