Aspartame, a prevalent artificial sweetener marketed under popular brand names like NutraSweet® and Equal®, has been in circulation within the United States since the early 1980s. Its high sweetness quotient compared to regular sugar has made it a favored ingredient in a multitude of food and beverages, enabling manufacturers to achieve an equivalent sweetness level with lesser quantity. Besides being a widely utilized sweetener in ready-to-eat foods, beverages, and recipes that do not demand excessive heating, aspartame can be discovered in certain medicinal flavors, chewing gums, and toothpaste.
Aspartame and the Cancer Controversy
Debates around aspartame possibly triggering a myriad of health issues, inclusive of cancer, have persisted for an extended period. The cancer apprehension primarily originates from the outcomes of lab rat studies performed by a team of Italian researchers in the late 2000s. These studies hinted at aspartame potentially escalating the threat of some blood-related cancers (such as leukemias and lymphomas) along with other cancer forms. Nonetheless, the shortcomings of these studies rendered their results ambiguous.
Diverse findings have emerged from epidemiologic research (studies involving human groups) about the potential correlation between aspartame and cancer (including blood-related cancers). While some studies have proposed a possible connection, others have refuted the same.
Analyzing International Stances
Although the American Cancer Society does not directly confirm whether a substance can incite cancer (or is a carcinogen), it does take into consideration the perspectives of other esteemed organizations.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO’s cancer research affiliate, plays a pivotal role in identifying cancer-causing agents. The IARC categorizes aspartame under “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B), predicated on partial evidence suggesting it could induce cancer (particularly liver cancer) in humans. The IARC also highlights limited evidence demonstrating cancer in lab animals and a potential mechanism through which it could cause cancer.
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) is an international expert committee administrated jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO. It primarily evaluates food additive safety, considering all potential health impacts, inclusive of cancer. Following a dietary exposure analysis, JECFA has deduced that the association between aspartame consumption and human cancer lacks credibility. According to its current dietary exposure estimates, aspartame’s consumption does not pose a health threat.
Regulatory Aspects and Consumption Limits
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, are governed by the FDA in the United States. These products undergo safety testing and require FDA approval prior to usage. The FDA also prescribes an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each sweetener, representing the maximum safe consumption limit per day over an individual’s lifespan. For aspartame, the FDA’s ADI is established at 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (50 mg/kg/day). Both JECFA and EFSA recommend a slightly lower ADI for aspartame, at 40 mg/kg/day.
Avoiding Aspartame
Although no definitive linkage has been established between aspartame and any specific health concerns, aside from individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), there is a precautionary stance. PKU is a rare congenital disorder where the body is unable to metabolize phenylalanine, an amino acid present in various foods and aspartame. This necessitates any aspartame-containing products to bear the warning “PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.” For those desiring to evade aspartame, it can be easily accomplished by heeding this warning or examining ingredient labels before purchasing or consuming any foods or beverages.
Conclusions
While scientific understanding is still unfolding, the American Cancer Society supports the calls from the IARC and other organizations for more extensive research on aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. The society is also committed to conducting its studies to enhance understanding of their possible association with cancer and aid in improving cancer risk reduction, prevention efforts, and care. Also learn about Are Sugar Substitutes like Stevia and Saccharin Really Healthier?
