Whether aspartame is safe or not has been a question of debate for decades. The FDA claims aspartame is perfectly safe for human consumption, while natural health experts claim the sweetener can cause everything from decreased vision and hearing impairment to memory loss, aggression and chronic fatigue syndrome. The aspartame controversy is likely to continue as long as the FDA refuses to conduct further testing and studies of the product.
The Pro-Aspartame Group
According to the FDA, an adult can consume over 50mg per kilogram of body weight without any ill effects. This means a 150 lb. (68kg) person can ingest 3,400mg of aspartame a day safely. The typical can of diet soda contains about 180mg of aspartame, meaning a 150 lb. person could drink 19 cans of diet soda a day without worrying about safety or side effects. In 2007, a group of experts from several universities in the U.S. and Europe worked together in a study regarding the connection between aspartame and cancer. According to the experts, there's no "credible evidence that aspartame is carcinogenic." The pro-aspartame group has used these and other studies to claim aspartame is perfectly safe and causes no health problems.
The Anti-Aspartame Group
The approval of aspartame for public consumption was delayed several times because of safety concerns. Studies showed that aspartame might be connected to a higher risk for tumors and cancer, although this was never proven. As a result, aspartame was approved in 1981. Many research groups and health experts around the world still believe there's a link between aspartame and cancer, and new publications on the topic appear regularly. The other major concern regarding aspartame is that it might cause or worsen symptoms of ADD, mood disorders, neurological or psychiatric problems, and panic attacks.
Possible Side Effects
According to certified nutritionist Dr. Janet Hull, aspartame has been linked to almost 100 possible side effects. Some people are more sensitive to aspartame and experience more side effects, while others have a milder reaction. Aspartame seems to cause neurological problems that include confusion, slurring of speech, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and severe tremors, says Hull. This is often related to psychological side effects such as depression, aggression, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and irritability. Some people experience gastrointestinal changes, which can lead to nausea, abdominal pain and peptic ulcers.
Effects on Weight
Because aspartame is an artificial sweetener, it contains no natural sugar. It's also calorie free and considered safe for diabetics and people trying to lose weight. Some experts believe that aspartame can cause endocrine and metabolic problems, though. While aspartame does not directly cause weight gain, it seems to affect blood sugar, increasing cravings for carbohydrates and indirectly interfering with your weight loss efforts. Aspartame might also cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar and increase your appetite.
References
- Sweet Poison; Aspartame Side Effects; Janet Hull, CN; 2002
- University of Wisconsin at Madison; Health Effects of the Artificial Sweetener Aspartame; Jeanne Wahlen
- Green Facts: Scientific Facts on Aspartame
- "Critical Reviews in Toxicology"; Aspartame: A Safety Evaluation Based on Current Use Levels, Regulations, and Toxicological and Epidemiological Studies; B. A. Magnuson and Team; 2007
- American Cancer Institute: Aspartame and Cancer
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