The non-sugar, low-calorie sweetener aspartame is under scrutiny due to its potential impact on memory and learning, revealed in a study conducted by the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine. According to a press release from FSU, male mice that consumed aspartame, even at levels considered safe by the FDA, had offspring that displayed deficits in spatial learning and memory. The study involved three groups of mice, with one group consuming 15% of the FDA’s recommended maximum intake of daily aspartame, a second group consuming 7%, and a third control group consuming only water. The mice underwent maze tests at four-week intervals, and it was found that the mice consuming aspartame took much longer to complete the task and required extra help. The study authors recommend that the FDA takes a closer look at the effects of aspartame from a multi-generational perspective.
In June, aspartame was classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organization (WHO). The FSU study, however, focused on the cognitive effects of aspartame and found no specific mention of its potential carcinogenic properties. Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicology physician in Washington, D.C., who was not involved in the study, commented that low-level consumption of aspartame may contribute to memory and learning problems across generations and may cause genetic changes in sperm. She also noted that more studies are needed to verify the link between aspartame and brain damage. The limitation of the FSU study is that it was conducted on mice and may not be representative of the effects of aspartame on the human brain.
Industry experts, like the Calorie Control Council, defended aspartame and emphasized that the study’s results should not be extrapolated to humans. The council stated that there is no connection between low- and no-calorie sweeteners and cognitive impairments and argued that the reported findings contradict the assessments of numerous global health organizations that have deemed aspartame safe for consumption.
In conclusion, while the FSU study suggests potential issues with aspartame and cognition, more research is needed to determine the full extent of its effects on humans. The study’s findings should not be generalized, and aspartame is considered safe by various health organizations.
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