Aspartame, a popular artificial sweetener used in products such as soft drinks, gum, and desserts, has been deemed safe by the US National Cancer Institute after a review of studies that spanned more than 12 years.

The agency’s review, which examined over 500,000 people and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, concluded that there was no evidence linking aspartame to cancer.

What is Aspartame?

Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that is around 200 times sweeter than regular sugar. It is used to sweeten food and drinks in place of sugar, which can be relatively higher in calories.

Aspartame was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981.

The Controversy of Aspartame

Aspartame has been a hot topic for years, with some health experts claiming that it is linked to cancer. In fact, the rumors about the safety of aspartame began to circulate soon after it was approved by the FDA in 1981.

Some studies suggested a possible link between aspartame and cancer, but most of those studies involved animals or used amounts of aspartame that are not consumed by humans.

Later, a few studies emerged in which people reported health problems they believed to be associated with aspartame ingestion. However, those studies lacked the scientific rigor to establish a causal link.

The FDA has approved aspartame and other non-nutritive sweeteners for use in food and beverages for decades, citing extensive testing that proves their safety.

National Cancer Institute’s Review of Studies

Researchers from the US National Cancer Institute reviewed studies on aspartame and cancer conducted between 1996 and 2018. The studies included animal experimentation, observational studies, and clinical trials.

The review concluded that there was no evidence of a link between aspartame and cancer in humans. The researchers found that aspartame intake was not associated with an increased risk of cancers of the brain, breast, or blood.

Aspartame Use in the US

Aspartame is used in a wide range of food and drinks sold in the US. According to the FDA, aspartame is used in around 6,000 products on the market in the US.

The Sweet One, Equal, and NutraSweet are some of the popular brands of aspartame used in the US. The sweetener is often found in low-calorie or sugar-free drinks, chewing gum, and desserts.

Is Aspartame Safe?

The US regulatory agencies, including the FDA and the National Cancer Institute, have deemed aspartame to be safe for consumption. Additionally, aspartame has been approved for use in over 100 countries, including those in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

However, some people have reported sensitivity to aspartame, causing headaches, migraines, and other symptoms.

An estimated one in 100,000 people may have a rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) and must avoid aspartame along with other foods containing phenylalanine.

Conclusion

After a comprehensive review of studies, the US National Cancer Institute has cleared the air surrounding aspartame and cancer.

The review found no evidence of a link between aspartame and cancer in humans, and the artificial sweetener has been deemed safe for use in food and beverage products. However, as with any food, it is always recommended to consume aspartame in moderation and with an awareness of your individual tolerance.