Why Does Aspartame Get A Bad Rap?

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, has gotten a bad rap since its approval in 1974. Fueling the controversy are purported links between the sweetener and a host of diseases, including brain cancer, obesity and autoimmune disease. While aspartame can cause serious problems in people with phenylketonuria, no other health risks have been proven to exist.

History

Aspartame was first discovered in 1965 and was approved by the FDA for use in 1974. The sweetener came under scrutiny after a study in the 1980s showed increased brain cancer risk, though these findings were later refuted, according to the American Cancer Society. Aspartame has been marketed under several brand names, such as Equal and NutraSweet, and continues to be used today.

Health Concerns

Aspartame can cause serious health complications in people with phenylketonuria, a rare disease in which the body cannot break down phenylalanine. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, all products containing aspartame must bear a clear warning that they contain phenylalanine. Claims of side effects ranging from dizziness to Parkinson's disease have been made, though no evidence exists to support these claims. While early studies found an association between aspartame and brain cancer in rats, the National Institutes of Health states that aspartame does not cause any type of cancer in humans. The sweetener has also been implicated as a causative factor in obesity, though these claims have not been proven.

Chemistry

Aspartame is a non-saccharide artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Unlike sugar, aspartame does not contribute calories to the diet, making it a popular ingredient in diet foods and drinks. In order to produce a sugar-like taste, it is sometimes combined with other artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium. Once ingested, aspartame breaks down into several other compounds, including phenylalanine, methanol and formaldehyde.

Significance

As one of the most prevalent artificial sweeteners on the market, aspartame can be found in a variety of products worldwide. It is often included alongside sugar packets in restaurants and serves as a common sugar substitute for people with diabetes. Examples of products that may contain aspartame include diet soda, pharmaceutical medications, vitamins and supplements, breath mints, yogurt and sugar-free gum.

Considerations

Despite continuing controversy, aspartame has been declared safe by the FDA. Because existing evidence is somewhat contradictory, studies into the health effects of aspartame are ongoing. You can identify which products contain aspartame by reading the ingredient lists on foods, beverages, supplements and drugs.