Aspartame and it’s potential link to cancer and diabetes
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Keywords: aspartame; cancer; diabetes; sweetener, metabolism, neurodegeneration
Table of Content
Have you ever wondered about the safety of the sweetener you add to your morning coffee or the diet fizzy drinks you sip on?
Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, has been a subject of controversy and public discourse for years. Despite its prevalence in various food and beverage products, not much is known about its impact on our health.
Let us delve into the world of aspartame where we will explore why it's so widely used, despite the concerns, and what the latest scientific research says about its safety.
Aspartame, a nonnutritive sweetener, is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose , making it a popular sugar substitute in over 6,000 consumer foods and drinks worldwide .
Its benefits lie in its taste, low-calorie content , and its non-impact on the concentrations of the blood glucose levels , making it a preferred choice for weight management and sugar control for diabetics.
Aspartame's safety has been a subject of much speculation. It has been linked to various health conditions, including diabetes mellitus , higher doses can cause depression .
Despite these concerns, regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority and the U.S Food and Drug Administration have deemed the current consumption levels of aspartame safe.
However, the World Health Organization's cancer agency has classified aspartame as a "possible" cause of cancer , sparking further debate.
The controversy surrounding aspartame is complex, with conflicting research findings adding to the confusion.
While the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified aspartame as a "possible" cause of cancer, other expert groups maintain that the sugar substitute is safe in limited quantities.
This difference in opinion comes from inconsistent evidence in multiple studies.
Some research indicates a potential link between aspartame and cancer , while others find no such association .
This inconsistency, coupled with the limitations of the studies, prevents a definitive link between aspartame and cancer.
Interestingly, aspartame was banned in some parts of Europe , but the ban was later on lifted .
The ban is largely due to the IARC's classification of aspartame as a " possible carcinogen ," placing it in the same group as aloe vera extract and some Asian pickled vegetables.
This classification indicates limited evidence of a potential cancer link. As consumers, it's essential to stay informed and make dietary choices based on the most recent and reliable research.
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The science behind aspartame's safety is complex and multifaceted.
Research indicates that the metabolic products of aspartame may be more harmful than aspartame itself.
This raises the question: Is aspartame really safer to use than sugar?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) has approved six non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) for human consumption, including aspartame, and classified them under the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) category.
However, more research on a larger scale and more peer-reviewed material is needed before a decision is made on the potential exclusion of aspartame of this list of six USA-FDA-approved sweeteners.
The use of any sweeteners and their impact on the human body is entirely dependent on the diet of the individual. NNS is least useful when they are used to substitute nutrient-dense foods such as milk and fruits . It is therefore in the hands of the healthcare providers to support and encourage the use of NNS (or not do so), as a broader and more coherent picture of the individual health of the person needs to be observed.
Aspartame may pose certain risks to health, particularly in relation to insulin resistance.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that aspartame could act as a chemical stressor, increasing cortisol levels in the body.
This could potentially lead to systemic oxidative stress by producing excess free radicals.
Aspartame may also interfere with the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor , which plays a crucial role in controlling insulin secretion.
This interference could result in insulin deficiency or resistance .
Additionally, aspartame might alter gut microbial activity , which has been linked to metabolic health and insulin resistance.
However, more research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.
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Research indicates that the consumption of aspartame, may have an impact on insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a negligible effect on blood glucose levels, making it a popular choice for those looking to control carbohydrate intake and blood glucose levels.
However, a study published in Current Diabetes Reviews suggests that aspartame may increase insulin resistance in some individuals .
The exact mechanism behind this effect is not fully understood, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
As we mentioned above, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
This classification was based on limited evidence for cancer in humans, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer.
While the evidence was limited, it's important to note that the study was focused on a specific type of liver cancer.
This classification doesn't imply that aspartame is definitively carcinogenic, but it does suggest a potential link that warrants further investigation.
As with any dietary choice, it's crucial to weigh the potential risks and benefits.
Aspartame presents a complex picture when it comes to its safety for individuals with diabetes. While it can be a useful tool for managing blood glucose levels due to its low-calorie nature and negligible effect on blood sugar, potential risks such as increased insulin resistance and possible carcinogenic properties cannot be overlooked.
A balanced view of aspartame is essential, acknowledging its utility but also cautioning against overdependence. Furthermore, it's crucial to remember that managing diabetes goes beyond just monitoring sugar intake. It involves a holistic approach that considers individual circumstances and needs, from lifestyle adjustments to alternative treatments.
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