Does Aspartame Cause Cancer? Risks and Benefits of taking Aspartame - Dr Rahul Chawla
Artificial sweeteners have become increasingly popular as alternatives to sugar due to their low-calorie nature. Aspartame is an artificial (chemical) sweetener widely used in various food and beverage products since the 1980s, including diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, and ice cream. Its presence in foods can be indicated by name or by code E951.
Being 180-200 times sweeter than sucrose, its intake was expected to reduce obesity rates in developing countries and help those struggling with diabetes.
Health Benefits of Artificial Sweeteners
1. Weight Management: One of the primary reasons for using artificial sweeteners is their ability to provide sweetness without the added calories of sugar. Substituting sugar with artificial sweeteners can lead to a reduction in overall calorie consumption, which may be beneficial for weight management and overall health.
For a short period, This can be beneficial for individuals trying to manage their weight or reduce calorie intake. However, very little evidence suggests sustained benefits for prolonged periods.
2. Blood Sugar Control: Artificial sweeteners do not significantly affect blood glucose levels, making them suitable for people with diabetes or those aiming to control their blood sugar levels.
3. Dental Health: Since artificial sweeteners are non-nutritive and do not contribute to tooth decay, they can be a preferable option for maintaining dental health compared to sugar.
Risks associated with Aspartame and other Artificial Sweeteners
1. Potential for Overeating: Some studies suggest that the intense sweetness of artificial sweeteners may lead to increased cravings for sweet foods, potentially leading to overeating and weight gain.
2. Digestive Issues: Certain artificial sweeteners, such as sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, gas, and diarrhoea, especially when consumed in large amounts.
3. Migraines and Headaches: There is anecdotal evidence linking certain artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, to headaches and migraines in some individuals. However, scientific consensus on this association is still unclear.
4. Metabolic Effects: Some studies suggest that Aspartame stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by causing an increase in cortisol steroid levels in the adrenal glands via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, potentially leading to metabolic disturbances and weight gain over time.
5. Taste Preferences: Regular consumption of artificial sweeteners may alter taste preferences, making individuals more inclined towards sweeter foods and beverages, which could impact overall dietary habits.
6. Cancer Risk: Concerns have been raised about the potential carcinogenic effects of certain artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin and cyclamate, although extensive research has not provided conclusive evidence of a significant cancer risk in humans.IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based on limited evidence for cancer in humans (specifically, for hepatocellular carcinoma) and established acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame.
Normally, the daily aspartame intake tends to be way less than the acceptable intake to cause cancer. With a can of diet soft drink containing 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake
7. Neurological Disorders: Aspartame is suspected of causing neurological and behavioural changes in humans. It causes neuropsychiatric reactions such as headaches, convulsions, and depression. In the body, aspartame is transformed into phenylalanine (Phy), aspartic acid, and methanol. These metabolites can affect the neurochemical state of the brain and influence the level of neurotransmitters. Aspartame causes mental stress and affects learning skills and memory. Aspartame is also amyloidogenic.
Low-quality evidence suggests that aspartame and its metabolites increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinsonism.
Scientific Evidence and Regulatory Oversight
The safety and efficacy of artificial sweeteners are subjects of extensive research and regulatory scrutiny. Regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Europe have established acceptable daily intake levels for various artificial sweeteners based on scientific data.
1. Safety Assessments: Regulatory agencies conduct comprehensive safety assessments of artificial sweeteners before approving them for use in food and beverages. These assessments include studies on toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive effects, and long-term health impacts.
2. Human Studies: Numerous human studies, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and meta-analyses, have been conducted to evaluate the health effects of artificial sweeteners. These studies assess parameters such as weight management, blood sugar control, metabolic effects, and potential adverse reactions.
3. Health Guidelines: Health organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) provide guidelines on the use of artificial sweeteners for specific populations, such as individuals with diabetes or those at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
4. Public Perception: Despite regulatory approvals and scientific evidence supporting the safety of artificial sweeteners within established limits, public perception and concerns about their potential health risks continue to exist. Media coverage, misinformation, and conflicting study results contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding artificial sweeteners.
Conclusion
To conclude, Presently, there is no convincing evidence that artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, cause cancer. Its use may pose health risks for certain individuals, like patients with seizures or other neurological conditions; it is strictly forbidden for patients with phenylketonuria and should be restricted if not completely eliminated during pregnancy.
European Food Safety Authority experts concluded that aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure. The current ADI is considered to be safe for the general population as far as cancer risk is concerned. However, keeping in mind the behavioural side effects and presumed risk for dementia and other neurological disorders, its use should be limited and avoided for long-term use.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.
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