Aspartame Consumption and Its Side Effects

Aspartame is a widely used, low-calorie artificial sweetener that’s approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It’s found in a variety of diet and sugar-free foods and beverages, from soft drinks to chewing gum. Aspartame is known by several other names, including NutraSweet and Equal, and is designated by the European Union with the “E” code E951. Despite its widespread use, aspartame has been the subject of debate and research regarding its safety and potential side effects.

What is the Main Disadvantage of Aspartame?

The main disadvantage of aspartame is its potential to cause health problems in certain individuals. Some people may experience headaches, dizziness, digestive symptoms, or mood changes after consuming aspartame, although these side effects are not common.

A more serious concern is for people with a rare inherited disease called phenylketonuria (PKU). Individuals with PKU must avoid aspartame because their bodies cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine, which is present in aspartame. High levels of phenylalanine can lead to brain damage in people with PKU.

Potential Side Effects of Aspartame Consumption

Aspartame can cause side effects in some individuals. These can include:

• Headaches: Some people report headaches or migraines after consuming foods or drinks that contain aspartame.
• Dizziness or vertigo: Some individuals may experience a sense of unsteadiness or a spinning sensation.
• Digestive issues: Aspartame may cause digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, or bowel discomfort in some people.
• Mood changes: Some people report changes in mood, such as increased irritability or depression, after consuming aspartame.
• Allergic reactions: Though rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to aspartame, which could include hives, itching, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU): People with this rare genetic disorder must avoid aspartame, as their bodies cannot break down an amino acid in aspartame called phenylalanine. This can lead to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain, causing damage.

Aspartame Allergy: Is it Possible?

While it’s rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to aspartame. Symptoms of an aspartame allergy could include skin reactions like hives or itching, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. However, it’s worth noting that what many people interpret as an allergy might actually be a sensitivity or intolerance to aspartame, which can cause similar but less severe symptoms.

Safe Level of Aspartame Consumption

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame at 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set a slightly lower ADI for aspartame at 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

To put this into perspective, a 80 kg (176 lbs) person would have an ADI of 4000 milligrams according to FDA guidelines, and 3200 milligrams according to EFSA guidelines. Considering that a typical tabletop packet of aspartame sweetener contains about 50 milligrams of aspartame, this person could safely consume 60-75 packets of aspartame every day without exceeding the ADI.

However, it’s important to note that aspartame is also found in many other products such as diet sodas, sugar-free gums, low-calorie desserts, and many other foods and drinks. A regular 12-ounce (355 ml) can of Coca-Cola or Pepsi typically contains approximately 180-200 milligrams of aspartame. Therefore, the total daily consumption of aspartame can add up from various sources.

Aspartame Bans: A Global Perspective

Aspartame is one of the six sweeteners authorized as food additives by the FDA, along with acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), sucralose, neotame, advantame, and saccharin. These sweeteners are deemed safe for the general population under certain conditions of use, based on available scientific evidence.

Sweeteners are widely used in foods and beverages marketed as “sugar-free” or “diet,” including baked goods, soft drinks, powdered drink mixes, candy, puddings, canned foods, jams and jellies, dairy products, and many other foods and beverages.

The FDA assesses the safety of a sweetener by evaluating the available safety information about the sweetener to identify potential hazards and determine a safe level of exposure. During pre-market review, the FDA established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for each of the six sweeteners approved as food additives. An ADI is the amount of a substance considered safe to consume each day over the course of a person’s lifetime.

For each of these sweeteners, the FDA determined that the estimated daily intake of the substance would not exceed the ADI, even when considering high exposure estimates. An additive does not pose safety concerns if the estimated daily intake is less than the ADI: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food

In the EU, foodstuffs containing aspartame must indicate its presence on the label, either by its name or its E number (E 951). The EFSA has kept the safety of aspartame under regular review and its scientific panels have issued several opinions on studies related to this sweetener. As part of its safety evaluations of food additives, EFSA establishes an ADI for each substance when sufficient scientific information is available. The ADI is the amount of a substance that people can consume on a daily basis during their whole life without any appreciable risk to health.

Aspartame was authorized for use in foods and as a table-top sweetener by several EU Member States during the 1980s. European legislation harmonizing its use in foodstuffs was introduced in 1994 following thorough safety evaluations by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 1984 and 1988. Further reviews of aspartame data were carried out by the SCF in 1997 and 2002: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/aspartame

Aspartame in Popular Beverages: The Cases of Pepsi and Coca-Cola

In 2015, PepsiCo announced that it was removing aspartame from its recipe for Diet Pepsi due to consumer concerns about the sweetener. However, in 2016, the company brought back a version of Diet Pepsi with aspartame, citing customer demand. Coca-Cola uses aspartame in many of its low-calorie and zero-calorie beverages, including Diet Coke. And yes, Coke Zero Sugar does contain aspartame.

Aspartame and Health: Weight Gain and Cancer Risks

While it’s designed to aid in weight loss or maintenance, some research suggests that consuming low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame may paradoxically lead to weight gain, possibly due to changes in metabolism or increased sugar cravings. However, this is a complex issue and more research is needed.

Aspartame has been a subject of scientific scrutiny and public concern regarding its potential link to cancer. However, recent studies have provided more clarity on this topic, suggesting that aspartame consumption does not significantly increase the risk of developing cancer.

A study published in the Environmental Health Journal titled “Consumption of artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies” examined the relationship between artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, and the risk of cancer. The study analyzed data from 32 observational studies, which included a total of over 16 million participants and more than 1.5 million cancer cases. The results showed no significant association between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and the overall risk of cancer. This finding was consistent across different types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and other common forms.

Similarly, a study published in PLOS Medicine titled “Artificially sweetened beverages and the response to the global obesity crisis” also discussed the safety of artificial sweeteners. While the primary focus of the study was on the role of artificially sweetened beverages in obesity management, it also touched on the safety of these substances. The study concluded that the available evidence does not support the idea that aspartame and other artificial sweeteners increase the risk of cancer or other health problems when consumed at levels typical in the diet.

Thus, the current scientific evidence suggests that aspartame, when consumed within the recommended daily intake, does not significantly increase the risk of cancer. However, it’s important to note that these findings do not negate the need for a balanced and healthy diet. Excessive consumption of artificially sweetened products may lead to other health issues, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, while aspartame appears to be safe in terms of cancer risk, moderation in consumption is still advised.

Sugar or Aspartame: What is Worse?

Sugar, specifically added sugars, contribute to calorie intake and can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. They also can lead to tooth decay and are associated with increased risk of diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Aspartame, on the other hand, is a low-calorie sweetener that can help reduce overall calorie intake. For people trying to manage their weight or blood sugar levels, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners can be a useful tool.

Aspartame vs Stevia: A Sweetener Showdown

Stevia and aspartame are both popular sweeteners, but they have different properties that may make one more appealing than the other depending on individual needs and preferences.

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It’s calorie-free like aspartame, but some people prefer it because it’s a natural rather than artificial sweetener. Some research suggests that stevia might have health benefits, such as lowering blood sugar and blood pressure levels, but more research is needed.

Aspartame, on the other hand, is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that’s used in many diet and sugar-free foods and beverages. It’s significantly sweeter than sugar, so only a small amount is needed to provide a sweet taste.

Some people may prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners like aspartame due to personal preference or if they experience side effects.

In the end, the aspartame debate is a bit like a seesaw, constantly tipping back and forth with new research and perspectives. Is it a better choice than sugar? It depends on who you ask. Should we avoid both? Some might argue that’s the safest bet. Or perhaps we shouldn’t worry too much about it at all, as long as we’re consuming in moderation. It seems the only definitive conclusion we can draw is that there’s still much to learn about aspartame, sugar, and their place in our diets. So, until the next study comes out, we’ll be here, sipping our moderately sweetened beverages and waiting for the seesaw to tip again.