Aspartame, which is listed among the ‘possible carcinogenic substances’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, is used in more than 6000 products, including soft drinks, dessert mixes, frozen desserts and yoghurts, flavored dairy products, vegetable juices, chewing gum, toothpaste and breakfast cereals.
Gastroenterohepatology experts answered questions about this substance, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Aspartame, which is especially known to dieters and preferred by those who want to stay away from sugar, is found in more than 6000 products. Where is aspartame, which is included among the ‘possible carcinogenic substances’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer[1] affiliated with the World Health Organization, used? Is using these products harmful to health?
What is aspartame?
Aspartame is 150-200 times sweeter than sugar and is a white powdery and odorless sweetener. Aspartame was approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) in 1974. However, the approval was suspended after a year due to possible toxic and carcinogenic effects in animal studies. The FDA reapproved aspartame in 1981 on the grounds that the amount consumed by humans was well below the level that would cause cancer. It has been approved for use in beverages since 1983. 1 gram of aspartame provides 4 kilocalories of energy, it is 200 times sweeter than sugar, and since its cost is low, it is used not only to sweeten foods but also in more than 600 medicines. According to the World Health Organization, the amount of aspartame that a person can consume daily should not exceed 40 mg per kilogram of weight.[2]
“Sodas, food items with high sweetness and high consumption”
Which products use aspartame?
Aspartame is added to foods at a level of 0.01 percent for flavor modification and at a level of 0.6 percent to increase sweetness. It is a food additive numbered E951. The amount of aspartame to be added to foods varies depending on the pH value of the food, temperature, viscosity, total dry matter and specific aroma of the product. It is found in more than 6000 products, including soft drinks, dessert mixes, frozen desserts and yoghurts, flavored dairy products, powdered drink mixes, flavored syrups for coffee, vegetable juices, chewing gum, chewable multivitamins, toothpaste and breakfast cereals.
Carbonated drinks are food items with high sweetness and high consumption. The level of aspartame used in carbonated beverages varies depending on pH and type of carbonated beverage. Aspartame is used instead of some sugar in grain products. Since the amount of sugar decreases with the aspartame used, it is possible to obtain less energy with more grain. It is widely used in confectionery (sugar-free mints, hard candies, chocolate, chewing gum, soft candies, etc.) because it does not cause tooth decay and has a low calorie value. Apart from these, aspartame is also used in sweet pickles, creams, jam, marmalade, jelly and similar cake filling materials.
“The safety of women’s reproductive health remains unclear.”
Experts state that attention should be paid to the use of aspartame in situations such as pregnancy and share the following information:
Although aspartame during pregnancy has largely been used as a substitute for conventional sugar to reduce calorie intake, its safety for women’s reproductive health remains unclear. Aspartame and similar sweeteners are considered safe to consume during pregnancy and breastfeeding as long as recommended levels are not exceeded. It is thought that consumption of sweeteners without nutritional value may cause the risk of premature birth.
Studies including clinical, animal and cell experiments show that aspartame consumption disrupts oocyte maturation and increases the risk of infertility by 1.79 times. It has been shown that long-term aspartame consumption reduces the secretion of anti müllerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone, causing increased oxidative stress in ovarian and granulosa cells and a decrease in antioxidative enzymes.[3]
Aspartame use has also been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and hormone-related cancer. Studies have also shown that the risk of early menarche is high in girls aged 9-10 years. It is recommended that the effects of long-term sweetener intake, especially by pregnant and breastfeeding women, be investigated in more detail and completely. Large, long-term studies designed to examine the effects of sweeteners on the gastrointestinal, cerebral, and cardiometabolic systems of infants are needed.[4]
Long-term consumption of aspartame may also increase mental stress
The mechanisms suggested for the negative effects of sweeteners are; Sweeteners can be listed as increasing the absorption of glucose in the intestine, changing the intestinal microbiota, inducing oxidative stress, and causing changes in brain neurotransmitters. Aspartame has been found to increase oxidative stress levels in the brain of rats, as well as increasing glutathione levels if taken higher than the daily acceptable intake.
Studies show that aspartame and its metabolites increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors.[5] Additionally, aspartame can cause cell death by activating various calcium channels in neurons. It has been suggested that aspartame may cause neurological and behavioral disorders in humans.
Neuropsychiatric reactions such as headache, convulsions and depression; is associated with its metabolites. These metabolites can affect the neurochemical state of the brain and the level of neurotransmitters. Aspartame also stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by causing an increase in cortisol steroid levels in the adrenal glands via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
It may also change the composition of the gut microbiota. Long-term aspartame consumption has also been shown to increase mental stress. It has been reported that aspartame consumption may cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching, watery eyes and breathing difficulties.
References:
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results. Joint News Release. (14 July 2023)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
- Chen YC, Yeh YC, Lin YF, Au HK, Hsia SM, Chen YH, Hsieh RH. Aspartame Consumption, Mitochondrial Disorder-Induced Impaired Ovarian Function, and Infertility Risk. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Oct 22;23(21):12740. doi: 10.3390/ijms232112740. PMID: 36361530; PMCID: PMC9656449.
- Czarnecka K, Pilarz A, Rogut A, Maj P, Szymańska J, Olejnik Ł, Szymański P. Aspartame-True or False? Narrative Review of Safety Analysis of General Use in Products. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 7;13(6):1957. doi: 10.3390/nu13061957. PMID: 34200310; PMCID: PMC8227014.
- Griebsch LV, Theiss EL, Janitschke D, Erhardt VKJ, Erhardt T, Haas EC, Kuppler KN, Radermacher J, Walzer O, Lauer AA, Matschke V, Hartmann T, Grimm MOW, Grimm HS. Aspartame and Its Metabolites Cause Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial and Lipid Alterations in SH-SY5Y Cells. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 18;15(6):1467. doi: 10.3390/nu15061467. PMID: 36986196; PMCID: PMC10053704.