WHO TO DECLARE ASPARTAME SWEETENER A POSSIBLE CARCINOGEN: HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

One of the most popular artificial sweeteners in the world, aspartame, may be classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a "possible carcinogen" (a substance that causes cancer). Aspartame may be classified as a Class 2b carcinogen by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the report claims.

WHAT IS ASPARTAME? Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than table sugar, per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because of this, it is less sweet than other artificial sweeteners, though even one gramme of aspartame has a sweetness level of about two teaspoons.

It contains about eight grammes of sugar. According to a Healthline article, it has only four calories per gramme compared to the 32 calories in one gramme of table sugar. In addition to Diet Coke, it is a component of many other sugar-free drinks and additives both domestically and abroad.

FOODS AND BEVERAGES CONTAINING ASPARTAME Following is a list of popular products with aspartame: Zero-sugar or diet sodas, such as Diet Coke, sugar-free gums, like Trident gum, diet drink mixes, like Crystal Light, reduced-sugar condiments, like Log Cabin Sugar-Free Syrup, sugar-free gelatin like Sugar-Free Jell-O, and tabletop sweeteners marketed under the Equal and Nutrasweet names are just a few examples of the sweeteners available.

RESEARCH SO FAR EFSA conducted its most recent assessment of aspartame's safety in 2013. This review confirmed earlier studies conducted by other regulators and did not uncover any new proof that aspartame causes cancer.

Methanol, which is created in the gut when aspartame is broken down and transformed by the body into formaldehyde, was one compound of particular interest. Formaldehyde is a recognised group 1 carcinogen. However, the amount that can develop after aspartame consumption is much lower than what the body naturally produces.

A French study that asked participants to disclose information about their diet and then followed them for several years has produced some data in the interim. According to this study, aspartame consumption increases the risk of developing cancer.

Because obesity is a known independent risk factor for cancer and because obese people frequently consume sweeteners, the results are challenging to interpret. Furthermore, estimating aspartame intake precisely based solely on diet information is challenging.

This information will probably be incorporated into the upcoming assessments, which will improve the risk assessment for aspartame. There is no cause for worry right now. Aspartame has undergone extensive testing, and the designation of "possibly carcinogenic" indicates that there won't likely be any significant changes to the evaluation or implications for consumers.

ASPARTAME ALTERNATIVES Try an alternative natural sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, stevia leaves, or molasses, if you want to cut back on aspartame consumption. Natural sweeteners still need to be consumed in moderation because they carry the same health risks as too much-refined sugar, including tooth decay, diabetes, and weight gain.

Medical Dialogues Explore