A dentist is raising concerns about misinformation surrounding the potential health risks of artificial sweeteners, arguing that the evidence is still unclear and people should not hastily abandon these sugar substitutes. This warning comes in response to the panic and controversy that emerged earlier this year when the World Health Organization (WHO) classified aspartame, a type of artificial sweetener, as a possible carcinogen. However, experts emphasize that the connection between artificial sweeteners and cancer is still very weak.
Dr. Melissa Weintraub, a dentist based in Providence, Rhode Island, stressed that while the link between aspartame and cancer remains unproven, the significant advantages of maintaining good oral health should not be overlooked. It is important to consider this perspective amidst the alarm caused by the WHO’s ruling, as it could lead to widespread dissemination of misinformation.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener developed in the 1960s that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Due to its intense sweetness, smaller quantities are needed to achieve the same level of taste, resulting in products containing aspartame having fewer calories overall. This sweetener is present in various diet sodas, such as Diet Coke and Sprite Zero, as well as certain sugar-free gums and yogurts. It is estimated that around 5,000 food items in the US contain aspartame.
Dr. Weintraub believes that the WHO’s classification of artificial sweeteners as potential carcinogens may lead people to assume that aspartame has been unequivocally proven to cause cancer, thereby fueling the dissemination of misinformation. She pointed out that the assessment conducted by the WHO’s subsidiary body, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), solely considers hazard without taking into account the actual risk or likelihood of harm.
In support of this argument, a study published last year in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) examined 100,000 adults in France and suggested that consuming large amounts of artificial sweeteners was associated with a slightly higher risk of cancer and heart disease. Additionally, a 2020 study published in the journal Acta Histochemica found an increased occurrence of leukemia and lymphoma in mice that consumed aspartame. However, the doses administered to the mice were nearly four times their body weight, making it difficult to establish a clear benchmark for human risk.
In response to the WHO’s announcement, Dr. Weintraub highlighted a statement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued last month, which refuted the health organization’s findings. According to the FDA, there is no debate regarding the safety of aspartame, one of the most commonly used sugar substitutes in items like diet soda and sugar-free gum – both favored by dentists. The FDA’s statement emphasized that the agency had reviewed the scientific information presented in the 2021 review and identified significant flaws in the studies upon which the WHO’s conclusion was based. Furthermore, the Joint WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives did not express any safety concerns regarding aspartame at its current levels of use and did not revise the acceptable daily intake.
Although the WHO’s attention has primarily focused on aspartame, it is important to acknowledge that there are numerous other types of artificial sweeteners available, including saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit. While there may not be a consensus on the health effects of these sweeteners, the risks associated with excessive sugar consumption have been firmly established. Sugar has consistently been linked to various chronic health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, depression, and cancer.
Dr. Weintraub emphasized the concern that dentists hold regarding sugar, stating that even natural forms of sugar, such as fructose found in fruits, can contribute to dental problems. Sugar consumption provides nourishment for the bacteria present in the mouth, which then produce acid that erodes tooth enamel, ultimately leading to cavities and oral diseases.
In contrast, artificial sweeteners can assist in controlling sugar cravings and prevent excessive consumption of sugary, high-calorie foods. Dr. Weintraub specifically highlights the benefits of sugar-free gum, which incorporates artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, leading to a chemical rebalancing of the mouth through the release of minerals like calcium and phosphates. This process, known as remineralization, helps repair damage caused by cavity-causing acids and reduces plaque levels.
For instance, a study conducted in 2019 found that regular consumption of sugar-free gum resulted in 28% fewer cavities compared to those who did not chew gum. Based on her concern for oral health, Dr. Weintraub considers opting for non-nutritive sweeteners over sugar to be an obvious choice.
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