Sweet Suspicion: Aspartame Under Scrutiny for Potential Cancer Risk

Highlights:

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener 200 times sweeter than table sugar, is facing potential classification as a possible carcinogen
Products such as diet sodas, chewing gum, low-sugar juices, and sugar-free desserts commonly contain aspartame as a sweetening agent //
There are other artificial sweeteners available and approved by WHO, as well as plant- and fruit-based sweeteners approved by the FDA

Do you consume Diet Coke regularly or chew sugar-free chewing gums? Do you believe that sugar substitutes like aspartame are healthy? It may be worth reconsidering, as these synthetic sweeteners have been suggested to be potential carcinogens.

Artificial Sweeteners: Types & Benefits
Artificial Sweetener is a sugar substitute with fewer or no calories. High-intensity sweeteners are many times sweeter than sucrose.

‘Individuals who ingested larger quantities of all types of artificial sweeteners combined had a 1.13-fold increased risk of developing cancer compared to those who did not consume artificial sweeteners. #Aspartame #DietCoke’

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Aspartame: A Potential Carcinogen

Aspartame, a synthetic sweetener known for its intense sweetness that is approximately 200 times greater than table sugar, is facing increased scrutiny. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are considering the classification of aspartame as a possible carcinogen. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the IARC is preparing to designate aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" for the first time in July. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of published evidence conducted by external experts.

It is important to note that this assessment does not take into account the safe consumption levels of aspartame for individuals. Such guidance is provided separately by the Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization's Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), in conjunction with determinations made by national regulators, as reported by Reuters.

Sweetener Aspartame Ineffective To Promote Weight Loss
Sugar substitute aspartame may prevent but does not promote weight loss by blocking the enzyme activity.

Products that Contain Aspartame

Various food and beverage items utilize aspartame as a sweetening agent, including:

Diet sodas, such as Diet Coke.
Mars' Extra chewing gum.
Low-sugar juices.
Sugar-free puddings and desserts.
Sugar-free jams.
Cereals.
Low-calorie coffee sweeteners.
Trends in Company Usage of Aspartame.

Quiz on Artificial Sweeteners
With better and safe non caloric sweeteners coming in the market day by day, it has now become possible for people to consume any sweet food /beverage without a compromise on taste.

Companies have Debated and Altered their use of Aspartame

The utilization of aspartame in food products has been a topic of debate for many years, prompting some companies to remove the compound from their offerings. PepsiCo, for example, initially eliminated aspartame from certain diet soda options in the United States. Although the company reintroduced it a year later, they once again removed the ingredient in 2020.

Alternatives to Aspartame

Apart from aspartame, there are several other artificial sweeteners authorized by a WHO expert committee on food additives, including saccharin , sucralose , and neotame. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the usage of three types of plant- and fruit-based sweeteners, namely extracts derived from the stevia plant, swingle fruit extracts, and a group of proteins known as Thaumatin ().

Global Safety Assessments of Aspartame

Over ninety countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, have conducted safety assessments of aspartame. These assessments have concluded that aspartame is safe for human consumption and therefore permits its use in food and beverages.

Reference:

Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer - (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/artificial-sweeteners-fact-sheet)

Artificial Sweeteners, Widely Used for Weight Loss can have Adverse Health Effects
Artificial sweeteners help individuals with obesity to cut calories and lose weight but may have negative health effects.