It is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners in the world, present in thousands of food products and light drinks, but for years it has been at the center of a dispute: Is aspartame safe or can it represent a health risk?
From the first authorizations of the 80s to the most recent studies, this additive has undergone numerous scientific evaluations. Yet, despite the green light of the international health authorities, some studies raise doubts, in particular for its possible impact on the nervous system and on the risk of cancer.
Let’s try to clarify starting from the most solid scientific data.
What is aspartame and where it is found
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener with a sweetening power between 180 and 200 times higher than that of sugarbut with a minimum calorie intake. It is used in drinks, candies, chewing tires, yogurt, drugs and supplements.
Being thermossensibleis not used in foods to be cooked because it loses its sweetening power at high temperatures.
The initial authorizations: FDA and EFSA
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aspartame as a sweetener in 1981, defining it “Safe and not associated with negative effects of important health in the healthy subject“After a careful review of over 100 studies. In 1985, it was included in the Gras list (” Generally Recognized As Safe “).
In Europe, theEfsa (European Food Safety Authority) confirmed in 2006 and then again in 2013, after a complete review of all available studies, that aspartame has no health risks at the currently allowed levels.
Over the years, however, he has been repeatedly put under the magnifying glass of scientists and researchers from all over the world to understand the real security and the contraindications of the use of this food additive, in the light of the increase in consumption in the population.
So why do you continue to discuss it?
In the last two decades in particular, many studies have succeeded, many of which in contrast between them that leave doubts and do not answer the question of the real security of the aspartame. Let’s try to retrace them and make some clarity. (READ ALSO: Aspartame is not as sure as EFSA says and it should be forbidden: the study)
This substance, as mentioned, has sweetening power from 120 to 200 times higher than that of common sugar, does not cause caries and, for this reason, it is used in very small quantities, giving an extremely low calorie contribution.
Concerns: cancer and nervous system
The controversy was born mainly from a study conducted in 2005 by the Ramazzini Institute of Bologna, which suggested a possible link between the consumption of high doses of aspartame and an increase in leukemias and lymphomas in the rats, especially females. Italian researchers found that high doses of aspartame could cause carcinogenic alterations especially in female subjects, but the data collected still do not lead to a definitive discovery.
The study was strongly criticized by the scientific community for methodological limits, and has not been confirmed by subsequent independent analyzes. A series of studies published in March 2006 by National Toxicology Program He has shown that the intake of aspartame would not cause any tumor or leukemia.
A month later, at the 97th annual meeting ofAmerican Association of Cancer Researcha study by the National Cancer Institute has been exhibited which provides further evidence regarding the security of aspartame. In this case, the study focused on the connection between the consumption of sweetener and the development of leukemias, lymphomas and brain cancer, considering about 340 thousand men and 230 thousand women, between 50 and 69 years old. Over the course of 5 years 1972 were found between lymphomas and leukemias and 364 brain tumors. However, there is no correlation between pathologies and aspartame.
Aspartame and anxiety
More recently, a new in vitro study of Florida State University, published in 2022 on Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has connected the consumption of aspartame to anxious behavior
According to the researchers, the anxious effect was also observed in the generations of rats subsequent to those exposed, suggesting possible epigenetic effects. The mice had taken doses equal to 15% of the human DGA (acceptable daily dose), the equivalent of about 6-8 cans of dietary drinks per day. According to research, when aspartame is consumed, it turns into aspartic acid, phenylalanin and methanol, substances that may have powerful and incisive effects on the central nervous system.
However, it should be noted that the study was conducted only on animals, and at the moment there is no direct evidence on human beings. The researchers are working on further insights, also on the effects on memory.
Therefore, in May 2006 EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) declared that the consumption of the sweetening substance does not involve risks for the safety of those who use it. In addition, the data of previous studies do not lead to thinking of reconsidering the consumption of aspartame and it is possible to find the full text of the scientific opinion on the site. (Read also: Aspartame: for the EU it is safe)
What is the minimum safe dose of aspartame?
The European Authority, which regulates food additives in the European Union, has finally recommended a slightly lower DGA (acceptable daily dose) for aspartame, equal to 40 mg/kg/day And, to reach this dosage, an adult of about 60 kg should drink 12 cans of a dietary drink (if it contains aspartame at the maximum allowed levels of use), daily.
The substance, on the other hand, is used in minor doses and the quantities present in soft drinks can be three to six times lower than the maximum limited limits. In this case, to reach the DGA, it would be necessary to drink about 36 cans of drink.
What do health authorities say today?
The main world scientific authorities – Efsa, FDA, WHO, Health Canada – agree on one point: to ban or advise against aspartame, if consumed within the recommended doses.
However, in 2023, Iarc (the International Cancer Research Agency) ranked aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic for man” (Group 2b), based on limited tests. WHO itself stressed that there is no strong evidence of danger, and reiterated that the DGA remains valid.
Coca-Cola and the influence on WHO: controversial ties
Recently the controversies have rekindled after an investigation conducted by Us Right-to-Know revealed that a group of scientists with strong ties with Coca-Cola would have tried to influence the decisions of the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding Aspartame. According to the report, at least six of the thirteen members of the joint committee of experts on food additives (JECFA) are affiliated to the International Life Sciences Institute (Ilsi), an organization with close links with the drinks industry, in particular with Coca-Cola. This connection raises concerns on possible Conflicts of interest and on the transparency of the scientific assessments concerning the safety of aspartame.
The European petition for the prohibition of aspartame
Following the controversies and despite the official assessment assessments of the aspartame, public pressure is growing for its ban. On the occasion of the World Day against Cancer, the Yuka App, the French League against Cancer and the NGO Foodwatch launched a petition in 11 European countries, including Italy, to ask for the elimination of aspartame from food products. The initiative is based on the precautionary principle provided for by European regulation, which requires to prohibit potentially harmful additives. Julie Chapon, Yuka co -founder, underlines that 95% of the users of the App stopped buying products containing controversial additives thanks to the acquired awareness. The goal is to exercise concrete pressure on the European institutions to take measures.
Aspartame, a danger to health? Here is who asks to ban it (the petition)
In summary: is it safe or not?
Yes, aspartame is considered safe if taken within the limits indicated by the health authorities.
Studies on possible adverse effects exist, but they are not conclusive.
Prudence is always useful, especially in case of usual and prolonged consumption.
Those who suffer from phenylchetonuria (pku) – a rare genetic disease – must instead avoid it completely, since aspartame contains phenylalanine.
If consumed in moderation and within a balanced diet, aspartame can be a valid alternative to sugar, especially for those who want to reduce calories or manage blood sugar. But staying informed and updated on science is always the best choice. Together with that of using common sense.
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