2023-07-03 07:44:24
A sweetening power sweetener, aspartame is used in many daily products. But today it is considered harmful.
What do diet sodas, low-fat dairy products, chewing gum and meal replacements have in common? All of these products contain aspartame. Offered in the form of pods, white powder or integrated into food, this synthetic sweetener has a sweetening power more than 200 times stronger than sugar.
Less caloric than traditional sugar, it is also better for the teeth because it reduces the risk of cavities. However, this does not mean that aspartame is safe for our health. In recent years, studies on this synthetic sugar have multiplied. However, they reveal that despite its beneficial aspects, aspartame would be carcinogenic. It could also promote the development of anxiety.
These studies prompted the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to act. Indeed, this branch of the WHO should take an important decision by July 14: classify aspartame as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. This was stated by the British media Archyde.com in an article published on June 29.
A decision that will not be unanimous, especially among manufacturers
Before making its decision, IARC would have analyzed in detail more than 1,300 studies carried out in recent years on the subject. The objective was tobest determine the risks for consumers. However, this assessment does not take into account the daily amounts consumed. In fact, even respecting the recommended daily doses, the consumption of aspartame remains at risk.
If the decision will be made in a few days, it is already causing concern in the food industry. By validating this placement in the list of potential carcinogens, the WHO will have to deal with the large groups that have already been using this sweetener in their products for several years. Among these industries that exploit aspartame are notably well-known brands such as Coca-Cola.
Conduct additional studies on aspartame to fully understand its dangers
This is not the first time that the IARC and industry have disagreed on aspartame. Many times, disputes between these two parties have taken place. But that has to compel manufacturers to modify recipes. This has particularly favored alternatives to sugar such as stevia leaf or agave syrup.
Or, the objective of the IARC and the WHO is to promote studies on the subject. All this with the aim of giving consumers the most precise information possible on the subject. But at the same time, processes for evaluating aspartame have been requested by two regulators globally.
It will therefore be necessary to wait a few more days before knowing the decision of the WHO on the subject and to see if the latter will modify consumption habits.
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