Artificial sweeteners have been widely used by consumers since 1879. While regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved for use instead of table sugar (sucrose) to sweeten foods and beverages. Because of their concentrated properties, smaller amounts are needed to get the desired sweetness. There are six main sweeteners (i.e., stevia, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, and saccharin) from which hundreds of products are manufactured and consumed each year.
In the mid-1970’s scientists reported a possible connection between artificial sweeteners and cancer. Another early study showed that lab rats given a combination of cyclamate and saccharin caused urinary bladder cancer. However, in human studies conducted afterwards no clear association between bladder cancer and artificial sweeteners was found.
The FDA approved a number of studies in 1981, looking at aspartame and its effects in laboratory animals. No clear cut evidence was found to support a connection between aspartame and human cancer incidence. At that same time, epidemiologists noted an increase in the overall brain cancer rates primarily in people age 70 years and older. Subsequently, they learned that these individuals were not exposed to higher doses of aspartame in its earlier introduction to the consumer market and that the increase in incidence rates could be attributed to other factors or medical conditions. However, some medical experts still contend today that regular or heavy consumption of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners can be connected to brain cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions and diseases.
In 2005 the NCI looked at aspartame in laboratory rats and its correlation to leukemia and lymphoma. Inconsistencies were found in the initial study and conclusive evidence was not reported. As a result, the NCI examined human clinical trial data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) AARP Diet and Health Study conducted on over a half a million senior citizens. And, an increasing consumption of aspartame-containing beverages was not found to be associated with the lymphoma, leukemia, or brain cancer incidence rates. Studies have also been conducted on other artificial sweeteners such as: cyclamate, Acesulfame potassium, Sucralose, and Neotame with the same results.
Some scientists still believe that there may be a link between artificial sweeteners and cancer. While no specific conclusions can be drawn, it is wise to use these products in moderation, and to follow a healthy and well-balanced diet of whole foods, water and exercise. The recommended daily allowance of artificial sweeteners is the equivalent of two cans of diet soda or two cups of diet yogurt each day. When presented with choices and options, one should avoid consuming a product that is artificial, or man-made, and select a whole foods and natural products.
To read more about artificial sweeteners, click here.
Comments