Aspartame declared possible cancer risk by World Health Organization
The World Health Organization has classified the popular artificial sweetener aspartame as a possible carcinogen.
From certain diet sodas and juices to some ice creams and chewing gum brands, aspartame is in many sugar-free products.
A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
What does this mean? Should you be concerned?
Dr. Dale Shepard is an oncologist with Cleveland Clinic and is not affiliated with WHO.
“When we think about the risk of aspartame, we have to really put it in perspective,” said Dr. Shepard. “The artificial sweetener is now considered a possible carcinogen by the WHO’s cancer research agency. But there are things people do and eat that are known to be carcinogenic, like the excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking.”
Dr. Shepard said the agency has four categories to rank items for safety.
Aspartame now falls into the “possibly carcinogenic to humans category” – which means it ranks below known carcinogens like alcohol and tobacco.
According to the agency, the classification was made based on limited evidence for human cancer, and more research is needed.
However, they said it is safe to consume 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight a day.
For example, an adult weighing 154 pounds would need to drink more than nine to 14 cans of diet soda with aspartame daily to review the acceptable daily intake.
Moderation of a healthy lifestyle is key
Dr. Shepard notes that aspartame is relatively low risk compared to known carcinogens, and moderation is key.
“I think the bottom line is we don’t have good evidence you should go to your refrigerator and clear it of all the diet sodas,” he said. “When we think about what we do and eat, moderation is key.”
Dr. Shepard also encourages people to focus on other healthy lifestyle choices that can lower cancer risk, like staying active and kicking bad habits like smoking.
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