Artificial sweeteners have risen in popularity as Americans seek alternatives to sugar in their favorite recipes. One widely-used artificial sweetener is aspartame, found in over 6,000 products according to the Calorie Control Council.
However, concerns have emerged regarding the safety of aspartame. Reuters reports that the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is expected to classify aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
The IARC has conducted an assessment on the potential carcinogenic effects of aspartame and will release its findings on July 14. While the organization did not confirm the Reuters report, these developments have raised doubts about the safety of aspartame.
The IARC is responsible for examining the cancer-causing potential of substances, while another WHO group oversees safety recommendations for human consumption. Aspartame has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food products, with the agency concluding that it is safe for the general population. However, lingering questions remain, as a 2021 research paper published in the peer-reviewed journal “Nutrients” suggests that the long-term effects of aspartame are difficult to predict.
Aspartame, also known as methyl ester, was introduced as a low-calorie sweetener in 1981. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than regular sugar and is found in various foods and beverages across North America, Asia, and Europe.
Studies have shown that aspartame does not impact blood sugar or insulin levels, making it a popular choice for diabetics. It is also used in reduced-sugar and sugar-free snacks, condiments, and beverages, as excessive sugar consumption has been linked to various cancers.
Foods that contain aspartame
Here are some common foods and beverages that contain aspartame:
- Zero-sugar or diet sodas, including Diet Coke
- Sugar-free gums, such as Trident gum
- Reduced-sugar jams and jellies, such as Smucker’s sugar-free jams and preserves
- Diet drink mixes, including Crystal Light
- Reduced-sugar condiments, such as Log Cabin Sugar Free Syrup
- Sugar-free gelatin like Sugar-free Jell-O
- Tabletop sweeteners sold under brand names including Equal and Nutrasweet
Despite some studies linking aspartame consumption to cancer, the FDA and American Cancer Society maintain that it is safe for human consumption. The FDA’s acceptable daily limit for artificial sweeteners states that an adult weighing 150 pounds would have to consume more than 18 cans of zero-sugar soda a day to experience severe negative health consequences from aspartame.
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