Aspartame: Diet coke contains THIS “possibly carcinogenic” ingredient; WHO warns against this popular artificial sweetener
Diet Coke: Preferred Drink For Weight Watchers
WHO Says Aspartame "possibly Causes Cancer"
This implies that there is some proof connecting aspartame to cancer, although it is not extensive. Besides this, there are two additional classifications for listing substances that can cause cancer: "likely carcinogenic to humans" and "carcinogenic to humans".
Should We Be Concerned?
According to Dr. Vinay Gaikwad, the Director of The Oncology Centre at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, just because something is labeled as a potential cancer-causing substance doesn't necessarily mean it is one. Ongoing investigations are being conducted to determine whether it actually has the ability to cause cancer or not.
Studies conducted in European countries such as France and Italy have indicated that individuals who consume high amounts of aspartame in their food and beverages may have a slightly higher likelihood of developing cancer. However, it is important to note that we cannot definitively establish this as a confirmed fact at this time. Therefore, there is no need to panic or be overly concerned for now. Nonetheless, it is advisable to stay updated on the latest news and developments regarding this matter. Whether aspartame truly poses a cancer risk, like cigarette smoke or substances such as red meat and asbestos which are known to increase the chances of cancer, is still to be determined. According to Dr. Gaikwad, it remains uncertain whether aspartame belongs to the category of chemical carcinogens that have been proven to heighten cancer risk.
Is Aspartame A Deadly Sweet?
Which Foods Have Aspartame?
According to a report from Yicai Global, aspartame is commonly found in a wide range of products including diet coke, ice cream, chewing gum, diet soda, sugar-free soda, cereals, low-calorie coffee sweeteners, puddings, sugar-free desserts, sugar-free jams, and many other packaged foods that are low in sugar or sugar-free. The report also states that the recent classification of aspartame as possibly carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO) is unlikely to have a significant impact on drink companies. This is because there are alternative sweeteners available, such as sucralose and stevia, which can be used in the production of sugar-free beverages. Li Shuguang, a member of the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology, shared this perspective with Economic View.
Aspartame Intake: What's Recommended?
According to JECFA, which is the expert committee on food additives formed by both WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization, an individual weighing 60 kilograms need to consume over 12 containers of diet soda in order to pose a potential danger.
Aspartame Causes Cancer In Rats
According to a scientific study recently released in the Environmental Health journal, a substance known as aspartame, utilized in over 5000 different items, has the potential to induce cancerous growths in various organs of rats and mice. The research reveals that the risk of developing cancer significantly rises, even when exposed to relatively low levels of aspartame that are deemed acceptable in our daily diet. Additionally, the study unveils that prenatal exposure to aspartame leads to a higher incidence of malignancies in the offspring of rodents, even at doses lower than those affecting adult subjects.
Other Cancer-causing Substances: WHO Updates?
Before this, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorized working overnight, consuming red meat, and using mobile phones as factors that could cause cancer. According to The Guardian, the decision on whether aspartame falls into this category is expected to be announced on July 14. The IARC-WHO classifies carcinogens into several groups: Group 1 (known to be carcinogenic to humans), Group 2A (likely to be carcinogenic to humans), Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), and Group 3 (not enough evidence to classify its carcinogenicity to humans). Aspartame is currently placed in Group 2A, indicating that there is strong evidence suggesting it may cause cancer in laboratory animals and some evidence suggesting it could have the same effect on humans, although the evidence in humans is not yet conclusive.
Is Aspartame The Sole Sweetener Of Concern?
The recent news about WHO's ruling on aspartame has caused concern and dissatisfaction among both producers and consumers. However, should we only be concerned about this particular sweetener? In May 2023, the WHO came out with a new guideline regarding non-sugar sweeteners (NSS). The guideline advises against using NSS to manage weight or lower the chances of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The report highlighted three critical issues: unhealthy ways of losing weight, the increasing use of artificial sweeteners, and the potential risks of NCDs such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and adult mortality.
Experts' Reaction On The Fate Of Aspartame: 10/10
According to Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, the World Health Organization's cancer research agency is about to announce that a substance called "Aspartame," which is an artificial sweetener found in chewing gum, soda, morning meal cereals, and some food products, has the potential to cause cancer. It is considered a carcinogen.
People often wonder why Cancer is becoming more prevalent, particularly among younger individuals nowadays!
The government should promptly remove all the items that contain aspartame from the market.
Many health professionals have challenged this notion. James Wong, a writer specializing in science, shared on Twitter that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers aspartame to be just as likely to cause cancer as aloe vera and pickled vegetables, but less likely than consuming red meat, drinking hot beverages, or working as a hairdresser. Additionally, experts have raised doubts regarding whether aspartame can actually lead to cancer since there is no evidence from human studies available.
