What you need to know about aspartame and cancer
Artificial sweetener aspartame-infused food items are showcased in New York City on Friday. Spencer Platt/Getty Images conceal picture.
Food items that include the synthetic sweetener called aspartame are showcased in the city of New York on a Friday.
The recent declaration made by one of the agencies of the World Health Organization suggesting that the artificial sweetener aspartame, commonly found in low-calorie items like Diet Coke, Trident gum, and sugar-free Jell-O, could potentially cause cancer in humans, has caused a lot of people to question its safety for consumption.
The recent declaration made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of WHO, on Thursday involves the reclassification of aspartame. Aspartame, widely utilized since the 1980s and available under various brand names like NutraSweet and Equal, is the subject of this update.
During a press briefing in Geneva, Dr. Francesco Branca, head of the WHO's Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, expressed worry specifically about individuals who frequently consume diet soda and other food products containing aspartame. He clarified that the IARC's action was merely an indication for further investigation to be conducted.
Dr. Mary Schubauer-Berigan, a high-ranking staff member at IARC, highlighted that it should not be interpreted as a straightforward declaration signaling a confirmed cancer risk associated with the consumption of aspartame.
No Change In Daily Aspartame Intake
In the meantime, the collaborative committee of experts on food additives from FAO and WHO, known as JECFA, has reiterated their unchanged acceptable daily intake for aspartame. According to JECFA, surpassing this limit would require an individual weighing 154 pounds to consume between nine to 14 cans of a diet beverage containing 200 or 300 mg of aspartame.
The United States Food and Drug Administration acknowledges the findings of both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives. However, this does not necessarily imply an established connection between aspartame and cancer.
The classification system employed by the World Health Organization (WHO) comprises four levels: cancer-causing, likely cancer-causing, potential cancer-causing, and not cancer-causing.
In a Science publication, it is mentioned that there are several other substances considered to have potential cancer-causing properties. These substances include aloe vera extracts, traditional pickled vegetables from Asia, certain types of fuels used for vehicles, as well as chemicals utilized in dry cleaning, carpentry, and printing. Additionally, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has labeled red meat as potentially cancer-causing, and processed meat as definitively cancer-causing.
More Study Required, Say Experts
According to Marjorie McCullough, a senior scientific director of epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society, this implies that additional investigation is required to determine whether there is a connection to aspartame.
Daniele Wikoff, a scientist specializing in toxicology and holding a prominent position at ToxStrategies, has participated in several research projects focused on aspartame. These studies were commissioned by the American Beverage Association (ABA), an influential advocacy organization representing the beverage industry. According to Wikoff, the key takeaway from the recent press conference held in Geneva is that there are no notable alterations in the findings.
According to Wikoff, the research conducted by IARC regarding aspartame constitutes only a minute fraction of the vast body of evidence. In reality, the complete set of data indicates its safety on a much larger scale. The prevailing consensus among most studies is that there is no connection between aspartame consumption and the development of cancer.
Kevin Keane, the acting president and CEO of the ABA, expresses his dissatisfaction over the IARC's actions, which have caused perplexity among consumers. Keane emphasizes that the FDA and numerous food safety organizations worldwide have thoroughly examined aspartame and concluded that it poses no harm. Therefore, consumers can trust in its safety without any doubt in the future.
Nevertheless, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a specialist in heart health and a professor at Tufts University's renowned Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, refers to the scientific investigation regarding the impact of aspartame on human beings as "severely lacking."
He highlights the "extremely restricted quantity" of randomized controlled experiments examining aspartame and other synthetic sweeteners. "What is alarming is that, despite their widespread incorporation into food products, there has not been a corresponding surge in scientific studies ensuring their safety."
"Limiting Sugary Soda: A Must For Consumers"
Dr. Frank Hu, a nutrition and epidemiology expert at Harvard School of Public Health, also harbors reservations about the adequacy of studies conducted on the potential impacts of aspartame. According to him, this issue can be viewed from two perspectives.
He states that conducting studies on individuals living without restrictions is challenging in order to accurately determine the extent of their actual consumption.
Hu explains that there is yet another obstacle when it comes to studying rare cancers like liver cancer, as pointed out by the World Health Organization. In order to obtain trustworthy answers, researchers have to track and observe a significant number of individuals, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions. This extensive study is crucial to gather enough statistical power for reliable results.
The main attention has mostly revolved around aspartame's usage in low-calorie carbonated drinks, but what about its inclusion in alternative beverages?
According to Hu, adding two sachets of sweeteners to your coffee or tea shouldn't pose an issue for most individuals.
According to Tuft's Mozaffarian, although he has reservations, he believes that for individuals who are unable to quit their addiction to soda, it is still preferable to opt for the diet version. "We are aware that consuming excessive amounts of regular soda can have severe consequences in terms of weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and the risk of heart attacks."
"So ... indeed, it would be advisable to transition to diet soda," he states. "However, it's even more beneficial to make the switch from diet soda to unsweetened carbonated water."
