Aspartame artificial sweetener, as its name suggests, is a chemical sweetener widely used in the food and beverage industries. You will find this element in ice cream, chewing gum, yoghurt, diet drinks, and even in some toothpastes.
Now, some people think that Aspartame causes cancer. But does it? Actually, there are several controversies regarding this topic.
According to a researcher from the World Health Organisation, aspartame can be consumed in small amounts. However, the potential effects of this chemical are unknown. More research work and investigations are needed for that. Also, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as a possible carcinogenic substance for humans. However, there is limited evidence in support of this.
Now, in this article, we will discuss Aspartame and its potential link to cancer.
What is Aspartame Artificial Sweetener?
Before moving on to the aspartame sweetener, let’s understand what an artificial sweetener is. Artificial sweeteners are an alternative to sugar. But they are sweeter than regular sugar, with sweetness levels ranging from 200 to 20,000 times stronger. Thus, a small amount of artificial sweetener is added to acquire the sweetness.
Aspartame artificial sweetener is made up of – methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. It’s considered safe, but excessive use should be avoided by people with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition causing excess build-up of phenylalanine in the body).
Is aspartame bad for you? Simply put, aspartame is not harmful when taken in one-time, moderate amounts. No toxic effects were seen when tested on humans, even at doses of up to 200 mg per kg of body weight (which is quite a lot). So, as long as it’s not consumed excessively, aspartame is considered safe for most people.
Aspartame Sweetener and its Potential Association with Cancer
Aspartame artificial sweetener that has been broadly used in several food and beverage products since its approval via the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1981.
- In the late 2000s, Italian researchers conducted studies on lab rats, suggesting that aspartame might increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including blood-related cancers (leukaemias and lymphomas).
- However, these studies had limitations that made it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.
- Studies on humans (epidemiologic studies) investigating the link between aspartame and cancer have yielded inconsistent results. Some studies suggested a possible connection, while others found no significant association.
- To answer the rising concerns about the safety of aspartame, the Ramazzini Institute conducted large-scale toxicological studies on rats and mice, which found an increased incidence of malignant tumours in multiple organs when exposed to high doses of aspartame leading artificial sweeteners cancer.
- International organisations, like International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), conducted evaluations based on available scientific literature.
- IARC has reported aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B) due to limited evidence for cancer in humans and experimental animals. Still, they did not assess the risk of developing cancer at typical exposure levels.
- JECFA reaffirmed the safety of aspartame within established daily intake limits, stating that there was no sufficient reason to change the acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels.
- IARC and JECFA emphasised the need for more research to understand any potential carcinogenic hazard of aspartame consumption.
- Currently, no conclusive evidence supports a direct link between aspartame and cancer in humans. However, regulatory bodies will continue to monitor new evidence and encourage further independent research on the topic.
Cancer Prevention and Implications for Public Health: Key Findings and Interpretations
A new reanalysis of data by the Ramazzini Institute confirms that aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, is found to be a chemical carcinogen in rodents. In simple terms, it can cause cancer in these animals.
- This reanalysis shows that 92% of the observed lesions in animals exposed to aspartame were indeed cancerous, debunking the claim that some other infection caused these cancers.
- The concern is that the dose of aspartame used in the study (100 mg/Kg body weight) is relatively low and is close to the levels safe for human consumption by regulatory agencies in the European Union and the United States.
- Many people, especially infants and young children, often consume food and drinks with aspartame levels that exceed the recommended daily intake limits. This raises concerns that the current safety levels set for aspartame might not be protective enough against cancer, particularly in pregnant women and young children.
- New advanced technologies used in this study, like immunohistochemical analysis and harmonised diagnostic classification, have improved accuracy in animal cancer diagnosis. Such standardised techniques should be regularly used in toxicity tests to ensure better and more reliable results.
- The study also found that exposure to aspartame pregnancy increased the incidence of leukaemia and lymphoma in offspring, which is a significant concern for pregnant women and young children who consume aspartame-containing products.
- The findings emphasise the need for more studies on cancer rates in human populations exposed to aspartame, mainly focusing on children exposed to it before birth.
Important Note: Aspartame is generally considered safe for most people. However, individuals with a rare genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid or limit Aspartame. PKU makes it difficult for the body to process an amino acid called phenylalanine, found in Aspartame. Newborns are screened for PKU before leaving the hospital. Foods with Aspartame must mention that they contain phenylalanine to alert those with PKU.
Artificial Sweeteners and Obesity Link?
People may choose artificial sweeteners to reduce calories and avoid weight gain, which is linked to various cancers. However, there are concerns that some artificial sweeteners might lead to weight gain indirectly. Some studies suggest that drinks with artificial sweeteners may better manage weight than those with regular sugar.
They are often used to control body weight and blood sugar management. A study has shown that people who consumed foods with artificial sweeteners gained less weight in comparison to those who consumed sugary foods.
Conclusion
In general, aspartame is considered safe for human health except for people with phenylketonuria. Till now, there is a lack of information about the carcinogenic effect of aspartame on humans and animals. However, at the same time, international health agencies are continuing their research and studies on this matter. So, before concluding that this artificial sweetener leads to cancer, you should learn more about it and make an informed decision of whether to use it or not.
