Aspartame Controversy: Will it escalate into a Lawsuit?

Have you ever wondered about the side effects caused by aspartame, the popular artificial sweetener found in many foods and drinks that might lead to cancer?

Nowadays Sugar alternatives have become a nutritional fixture and aspartame has emerged as a popular sweetener all over the globe.

This artificial sugar guarantees guilt-free satisfaction in sweet treats and has now found its way into countless products, from diet sodas to sugar-free gum. However, behind the tempting promise of calorie-free sweetness lies a complex debate about its safety and possible side effects.

Along this journey, we will explore the extensive research, separate facts from doubts, and uncover the dark truths of aspartame controversy.

Get ready to explore the controversial history, potential health risks, and ongoing scientific discourse surrounding this sweet mystery.

Aspartame and its uses

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is commonly used in food and beverages as an alternative to sugar. It is said to be 150 to 200 times sweeter than sucrose.

Aspartame contains a chemical substance called methyl ester, which is derived from organic or inorganic acids.  Some famous brands that manufacture artificial sweeteners that contain aspartame are NutraSweet, Equal, and Canderel.

It was first introduced to the food industry in 1981. Since then the aspartame controversy also began to boom.

In the US, aspartame has become the most famous artificial sweetener. It acts as a main ingredient in popular sugar substitute brands like Nutrasweet and Equal to manufacture

• Sodas
• Candies
• Chewing gums
• Sugar free pancake syrup
• Other sugar free food products that people consume in their daily life.

Many people choose artificial sweeteners like aspartame over normal table sugar because it helps to reduce the calories they consume and manage their blood sugar levels.

For example, let’s take a 12 ounce serving of regular Coke that contains 140 calories and 39 grams of added sugar, but with aspartame the same amount of Diet Coke gives 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar.

Aspartame does not affect blood sugar levels like caloric sweeteners. Therefore, it is usually recommended for people with diabetes because artificial sweeteners contain zero calories.

People think that foods and drinks that contain aspartame are more nutritious than products that are made with sugar. However, aspartame has also been linked to several serious side effects.

Research done on aspartame lately, proves that it has high risks of cancer.

Aspartame side effects

Aspartame is generally considered safe by most people when consumed but daily intake of food products that contains aspartame may leads to serious problem in the body. However, there are side effects associated with aspartame consumption.

Let’s see few a side effects that may occur in our body parts due to the consumption of aspartame

Blood pressure

Aspartame side effect on blood pressure happens due to its impact on the release of certain neuro transmitters and hormones in the body. There are only a few pieces of evidences that proves aspartame consumption may have a minor or temporary effect on blood pressure in some individuals.

Chest pain

Aspartame side effect on chest pain is associated with too much aspartame consumption. Chest pain can have various causes, including heart-related issues like angina or even a heart attack. It may also be caused by non-cardiac issues like indigestion, muscle strain, or anxiety.

Problems in vision

Only a few individuals have reported experiencing mild visual disturbances or eye-related symptoms after consuming aspartame. These reported symptoms can include:

• Blurred Vision

Some individuals have reported transient episodes of blurred vision after consuming products containing aspartame.

• Eye Discomfort

There have been occasional reports of eye discomfort or irritation attributed to aspartame consumption.

Aspartame side effects in the human body

Aspartame is generally recognized as safe for consumption by regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Aspartame has passed through all the extensive safety evaluations and studies over the same time. However, some individuals may experience mild side effects or have concerns about its consumption. Commonly reported side effects associated with aspartame include:

• Headaches

Some individuals may experience headaches after consuming foods or drinks containing aspartame. This is a relatively common complaint, but it’s not experienced by everyone.

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms

In some cases, aspartame consumption can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea, particularly in individuals who are sensitive to it.

• Allergic Reactions

There have been reports of allergic reactions to aspartame. Symptoms like itching, hives, or difficulty breathing may occur. If you suspect an allergy to aspartame, seek medical attention immediately.

Aspartame side effects during pregnancy

Aspartame side effects on pregnancy can cause serious injury for some people due to phenylketonuria (PKU). Aspartame contains phenylalanine, an amino acid. Pregnant women with a rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria cannot metabolize phenylalanine properly

In such cases, it’s crucial to monitor and control phenylalanine intake to prevent its accumulation in the body, as excessive levels can be harmful to the developing fetus.

Potential aspartame side effects:

• Risks of cancer
• Worsen the diabetes
• Heart disease
• Nervous disorders
• Brain disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Weight gain
• Premature menstruation
• Autism development
• Kidney diseases

Now that we have seen the list of several potential side effects associated with aspartame consumption. In the following sections, we’ll learn about each of these side effects one by one to provide a detailed understanding of their possible impact on health. Let’s delve into each of these concerns individually.

Risks of cancer

The International Agency for Cancer Research (IACR) has found certain compounds and agents are carcinogenic in aspartame.

The potential mechanisms of aspartame that have been proven to cause cancer in animals include:

Formation of Methanol

Aspartame is metabolized in the body into its constituent amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) and methanol. Methanol can be further metabolized into formaldehyde and formic acid, which are potential carcinogens. However, the levels of methanol produced from aspartame consumption are generally considered to be very low and not a significant cancer risk.

DNA Damage

Some early studies suggested that aspartame might cause DNA damage, which could potentially lead to cancer. However, more recent research has not supported this claim.

It is important to note that these concerns about aspartame and cancer mainly come from studies using high doses that do not particularly explain human consumption.

Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EFSA have extensively reviewed the scientific evidence and determined that aspartame is safe for human consumption within an acceptable daily intake based on ADI levels.

Cancer study on mice with aspartame

Aspartame has possible risks of cancer in humans when consumed more than the recommended limits. The controversies about aspartame and cancer started rising when studies with rats proved that extremely high doses of aspartame led to liver cancer.

In the study with rats, researchers confirmed that Aspartame, phenylalanine and methanol caused different types of cancer, including brain, prostate and breast cancers.

When animals are exposed to aspartame in the womb, the risk of cancer increases. Consuming aspartame is not good for pregnant females.

Central nervous system cancers 

The central nervous system cancers are associated with the two amino acids found in aspartame. They are consumed in such large amounts but do not act in the same way as they were ingested in other foods. Aspartame is also capable of crossing the blood brain barrier.

A metabolite of free methanol called formaldehyde is linked with lymphoma and leukemia cancers and the development of breast, stomach, and intestinal cancers.

Worsen diabetes

Doctors often advise diabetic patients to replace sugary drinks by having aspartame products as diet options, but the result was not the same as expected. Drinking diet sodas increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and a symptom of heart disease called metabolic syndrome.

In a study, people aged between 45 to 84 years old had the risk of diabetes. It was 67 percent higher for people who regularly consumed diet soda and those who didn’t. In many cases, consuming aspartame can also provoke diabetes symptoms like diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.

Research shows that aspartame conflicts with insulin tolerance, especially for those who are already obese. One reason this happens may be the way that aspartame alters healthy bacteria called gut microbiota.

Sometimes, these changes can also cause glucose intolerance in healthy people.

In December 2016, a study on animals proved the connection between the interaction of aspartic acid found in aspartame and glucose management. It is exacerbated by the way this amino acid passes the blood-brain barrier.

Heart diseases

Heart disease due to aspartame is related with metabolic syndrome. This condition also happens with the symptoms of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and excess belly fat and high cholesterol levels. It increases the risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

In research that happened at Purdue University in 2013, they found that too much consumption of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, sucralose and saccharin, was associated with weight gain, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart diseases because of the metabolic disorders.

Another study from North Manhattan focused on strokes and pertinent risk factors. This study proved the risk of heart events. When controlling the study for those with other related diseases, the people who drank aspartame products regularly had an increase in their blood sugar level. This change in the blood leads to heart diseases. However, the same problems were not found in people who drank regular soda.

The carcinogenic risks of aspartame and the heart disease risks in animals are exposed to it in the womb. Animals that are exposed to aspartame before birth eat more sweet foods in adulthood and have a high risk for obesity and also have high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatologic disorder that is often difficult to treat effectively.

More than 6 million people in the U.S. suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder. Aspartame can produce exitotoxins in the body after consuming aspartame food products. Excitotoxins act by triggering the neurotransmitters that can lead to neurotoxicity when used repeatedly. The elimination of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other excitotoxins from fibromyalgia affects a patient’s diet by offering a harmless treatment option with potential results.

In a study with four patients, people diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome went through multiple treatments with a very low success rate. They had completed the resolution of their symptoms within a few weeks after eliminating MSG or MSG plus aspartame from their diet.

All the patients were women with multiple illnesses before the elimination of MSG. All of them experienced a recurrence of symptoms when taking MSG.

In a study with four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome, their symptoms improved after eliminating monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame from their diet. All patients were women with multiple previous complications due to the elimination of MSG. All have had repeated symptoms whenever MSG is consumed.

Autism development

Medical Hypotheses Researchers have discussed in a study that women who had been exposed to dietary methanol significantly gave birth to children who developed autism.

In this research, seven sets of questions were given to women who gave birth to at least one child after 1984. The subjects were sought from a large primary care practice and several internet sites and separated into two groups.

Firstly, mothers who had given birth to a child with autism and mothers who had given birth to a non-autistic child. Consumption of average methanol was calculated based on the responses to the questions.

550 sets of questions were completed by women who gave birth to non-autistic children. These women consumed only 66.71mg (average) of methanol weekly.

Only 161 questions were completed by women who had given birth to an autistic child.

This study clearly shows that women who give birth to an autistic child consume more dietary sources of methanol than women who have non-autistic children.

Kidney diseases

Drinking diet sodas even affects the kidney’s function because of aspartame consumption. It is associated with a 30 percent greater drop in kidney function than those who do not drink diet sodas. This research was conducted with 3,000 women for more than 20 years.

A report from the Nurses’ Health Study has proven that sodium-contained diets are bad for kidneys and also have risks of heart disease, cancer risk factors, and the use of hormone treatments after menopause.

After conducting this study, doctors have reported that drinking a lot of cola beverages might have harmful side effects on the kidneys. Based on the study, kidney function had turned down in 20 years for women who drank more diet sodas.

According to researchers from the prestigious Nurse’s Health Study, more than 3,000 women have participated in the study for 20 years. It is reported that women who drank soda beverages had a 30% reduction in kidney function.They also experienced a drop in their glomerular filtration rate. This rate helps to measure the kidney’s function.

Women who didn’t drink sodas experienced a decline in the glomerular filtration rate of about 1 milliliter per minute per year after age 40. But in the women who consumed diet soda, the glomerular filtration rate decreased by 3 milliliter per minute.Almost 37 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease which is a public health problem.

Natural alternatives for artificial sweetener

Instead of using aspartame and risking potential side effects, opting for natural sugar alternatives extracted from plants can be a healthier choice.

Stevia

Stevia is extracted from the Stevia plant and is considered to be sweeter than sugar. Though it can act as a better alternative than artificial sweeteners.

Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener that can be used selectively. It has a distinct flavor and sweeter than sugar, so you can use less of it.

Maple syrup

A pure natural sweetener that can be used in place of sugar. It adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to foods and beverages.

Agave nectar

It is derived from the agave plant and is sweeter than sugar. It contains a better flavor and can be used in various recipes.

Dates

Dates are a whole-food sweetener that can be blended into smoothies, used in baking, or used as a sweetener in energy bars.

Molasses

Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production and contains several vitamins and minerals. It contains a sharp flavor and is commonly used for baking.

Aspartame controversy lawsuit

Commissioner Alexander Schmidt approved aspartame after a review done by the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and applied nutrition for use in dry foods. Aspartame is labelled as possibly carcinogenic to humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) based on the limited evidence for cancer in humans.It’s reported that aspartame may cause hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a type of liver cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) decided that aspartame was carcinogenic and the aspartame controversy is covered totally based on the evidence observed by three research studies.

Studies on humans have reported that the consumption of beverages made with artificial sweeteners has a high risk of liver cancer. In July 2023, scientists from the IARC stated that there is limited evidence for aspartame causing cancer in humans, classifying the sweetener as possibly carcinogenic.

The Joint FAO and WHO Committee (JECFA) stated in the cancer assessment that there is no need to change the recommended acceptable daily intake level of 40 mg per kg of body weight per day, reaffirming the safety of consuming aspartame within the limit.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report stated that Aspartame being labeled by IARC as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” does not mean that aspartame is actually linked to cancer.

However, the FDA disagrees with IARC’s conclusion that these studies support classifying aspartame as a possible human carcinogen. FDA scientists reviewed the scientific information including the IARC’s review in 2021.  It was the first limitations in the study that IARC trusted.

The IARC used one of the most controversial research on aspartame for causing cancer in lab animals, based on studies performed by the Ramazzini Institute in Italy.

Due to the aspartame controversy and its harmful effects, a class action lawsuit on product liability is expected in 2024. A lot of researchers are still trying to gather more evidence to prove the toxic carcinogenic effects of aspartame on human consumption.

To conclude, it is important to note that the scientific community continues to investigate the potential health effects of aspartame, and researchers are actively working to gather more evidence to either support or refute claims of its toxic carcinogenic effects on human consumption. As further research emerges, it will be essential to monitor developments in this area to ensure informed decisions regarding the use of aspartame in food products.

Are you affected by aspartame?  It’s very important to keep your medical records safe. Because medical record review is necessary for attorneys to help you win your case, LezDo TechMed can help you analyze your medical records.

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