2023-07-14 18:17:24
This sugar substitute is found in sodas and diet drinks, as well as dairy products, diet bars, chewing gums, and low-calorie candies.
After an extensive review, the WHO published the results of two studies that found that aspartame is potentially carcinogenic.
According to the study, the maximum daily intake that can be allowed for this product is 40 mg/kg of body weight.
Over the past few weeks the Aspartame has been the subject of controversy due to suspicions that it might be carcinogenic. Everything was generated by an article where it is mentioned that its intake can put human health at risk. Although the most serious is the alleged relationship with the formation of tumors.
What is aspartame?
It is an artificial sweetener of chemical origin widely used in different foods and beverages since the 1980s. It is used as sugar substitute and is found in soft drinks and diet drinks, as well as dairy, diet bars, chewing gum and low-calorie candies. Also in medicines like cough drops and chewable vitamins.
Although suspicions already existed, early conclusions could not be drawn. It was until today that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) published the results of their evaluations.
The IARC has classified the aspartame as possibly carcinogenic for humans (IARC Group 2B). In this regard, he affirms that there is “limited evidence” about its danger, although he emphasizes that the maximum daily intake that can be allowed for this product is 40 mg/kg of body weight.
“Evaluations of aspartame have revealed that, although safety is not a major concern in the doses of habitual consumption of this product. Possible effects have been described that need to be investigated in more and better quality studies,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition and Food Safety.
The two agencies conducted independent but complementary reviews to assess the possible carcinogenic hazard and other health risks associated with the consumption of aspartame. This is the first time that IARC has evaluated it, while it is the third time for JECFA.
The CIIC classified the aspartame as possibly carcinogenic for humans (Group 2B). Specifically, he mentions that it increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a type of liver cancer. There was also limited evidence for cancer in experimental animals and limited evidence related to possible tumor-causing mechanisms.
Maximum amount that can be consumed
JECFA concluded that the data evaluated indicated that there was no sufficient reason to change the previously established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) from 0 to 40 mg/kg bw for aspartame.
Therefore, the Committee reaffirmed that consumption of a daily amount that falls within this limit is safe. For example, with a can of diet soda containing 200 or 300mg of aspartame, an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9-14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, if no other food is consumed.
The IARC hazard assessment takes into account all types of exposure. The Group 2B classification based on the strength of the evidence corresponds to the third highest level of the 4 levels, and is generally used when there is limited, and not convincing, evidence of cancer in humans or convincing evidence of cancer in animals. of experimentation, but not both.
Risk assessments conducted by JECFA determine the likelihood of a specific type of harm, ie cancer, occurring under given conditions and exposure levels. It is not unusual for JECFA to take IARC classifications into account in its deliberations.
The IARC and JECFA assessments of the effects of aspartame were based on scientific data collected from a variety of sources, including peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and studies conducted for regulatory purposes. The studies have been reviewed by independent experts, and both committees have taken steps to ensure the independence and reliability of their assessments.
Also read:
Aspartame is a potential carcinogen according to the WHO: in which drinks is it found?
The most popular brands of sugar substitutes (although they are not recommended by the WHO)
5 Cancer-Causing Foods Your Patients Should Avoid
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