Aspartame: Safe or Not?

Aspartame: Safe or Not?

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is commonly found in beverages, dairy

products, sauces, and desserts – a lot of things we consume daily. There is a lot of uproar

surrounding aspartame, whether it’s bad for you or completely harmless, and many rumors

surrounding this chemical ranging from it causing cancer to causing you to lose a leg! The

build-up of rumors causes a lot of debate surrounding aspartame leading you to ask: is it safe or

not?

After conducting a safety review of aspartame, the World Health Organization has

labeled it “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” It goes on to emphasize how it is not safe for

frequent consumption and how the food industry expresses serious concerns. Aspartame has

been widely used since the eighties in things ranging from cough drops to cereal, leading to

much controversy. It is one of the most researched ingredients in history, with most research

deeming it safe, but some findings raise questions about its safety. There is still much research

being done on aspartame, and there continues to be a strong debate regarding its safety.

The label of “possibly carcinogenic” means that there is proof of some, but limited

evidence that it can cause cancer, like pretty much everything else in the world. I believe that

this opinion article strongly supports aspartame being a carcinogen, yet the FDA approves its

use in food and beverages as an artificial sweetener. Along with aspartame, working overnight

and using a mobile phone is also in the category of “possibly carcinogenic.” With this being said,

I feel like this article shows a large appeal to emotion, using scary words to implement fear into

the reader, rather than providing apt evidence to support their claim. Additionally, the article

continues to mention that there is evidence found that raises concern, yet never mentions what

evidence that is.

Madeline Gould (4)

“Aspartame Sweetener to Be Declared Possible Cancer Risk by WHO, Say Reports.” The

Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 29 June 2023,

www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jun/29/aspartame-artificial-sweetener-possible-canc

er-risk-carcinogenic. 

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM

    Hi Maddy.
    I have always been curious about aspartame. I tend to stay away from artificial sweeteners without having done much research on them. I personally don't love the taste of aspartame and prefer real sugar and stevia. I am wondering in what circumstances has aspartame possibly led to cancer. I have heard through word of mouth that you have to have it very frequently to be at risk.
    - Calvin Keating

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Madeline GouldOctober 21, 2023 at 2:22 PM

      I have also heard that you have to have it very frequently to be at possible risk of cancer, but I feel like a lot of people constantly look down on aspartame although it is in so many products that people don't even realize. There definitely is reason for people to be worried as it is artificial but I feel like there is a deeper stigma around it than there needs to be.

      Delete
  2. Donna RossOctober 18, 2023 at 10:04 AM

    Hi Madeline! Thinking about how commonly the phrase “possibly carcinogenic” is tossed around nowadays is a little frightening, and I do wonder how much evidence scientists truly have in support to back these claims. With these claims, it's crazy how this ingredient is still found in virtually everything. You do make a point to show that there is no evidence, and aspartame is FDA approved, so I guess this isn't a very trustworthy article. I guess only the future will tell if its actually carcinogenic, unless more headway is made in regard to providing statistics and evidence with certain products.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Madeline GouldOctober 21, 2023 at 2:28 PM

      I agree with you, the phrase "possibly carcinogenic" is used a lot, not that I doubt the truthfulness around it, but it is pretty concerning that so many things in our daily life are under that category. I am also curious what specifically can prove things to be possibly carcinogenic, as there must be so many external factors that would interfere with research and experiments being done to prove it.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousOctober 19, 2023 at 9:00 PM

    Hi Madeline. I have heard about the controversy on aspartame and I have always been confused on where I stand. I remember hearing about how aspartame is used in rat poison. I'm not sure if this is true, but what are you thoughts on that? It is scary to think we are consuming something that is possibly carcinogenic, but a lot of things are, so I "guess" it'll be okay. The FDA should be a little more strict on what they allow to be safe. Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Madeline GouldOctober 21, 2023 at 2:34 PM

      Woah I've never heard that aspartame is used in rat poison, that's very interesting to hear. That does make me less likely to want to consume diet drinks and everything else it's in. It is in a lot of things people consumer daily though, so it is kind of hard to avoid. I agree that the FDA should be more strict on what they say is safe, because that's what a lot of people go off of for a reliable source.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousOctober 19, 2023 at 9:00 PM

    - Lorena Soldevilla

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 22, 2023 at 10:50 AM

    Hi Maddy, nice post about aspartame. I thought aspartame was just another sweetener that we use for drinks and foods for everyday consumption. It is alarming that the World Health Organization has labeled Aspartame as a possible carcinogenic. I wonder why that is the case if the FDA approves aspartame in food that we consume here in the States. I’ll be more mindful next time I consume something with aspartame.
    -Will Nguyen

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strain-Induced Jamming in a Spirostomum Ambiguum Cell

Spirostomum ambiguum are single-celled organisms that reside on sediment beds of brackish water habitats. These worm-like organisms range in size from 1 to 4 mm and feast on surrounding bacteria. However, there is more to meet the eye regarding this tiny aquatic organism. In a fraction of the time it takes to blink, Spirotomum ambiguum can shrink to more than half its original length. This contraction generates a gravitational force equivalent (g-force - a measure of acceleration) that is 10,000 times greater than that experienced by any other contracting cell. The energy produced is large enough to destroy the internal structures of a cell. However, this single-cell organism manages to dissipate this energy. Manu Prakash and Ray Chang of Stanford University noticed after imaging the insides of Spirostomum ambiguum cells before and after they had undergone a contraction event that their internal structures vacuoles (fluid-filled sacs) appear to entangle in the folds of a membrane-like ...
Read more

Did Corona Virus Feel Much Longer than it Actually Was? It May Have Also Changed Your Personality

 Everyone knows of those big historical events in which each person knows exactly where they were and what they were doing when they got the news. The release of the first iPhone, the announcement of the first African American president, and the national legalization of same-sex marriage are just to name a few. Endless monumental events help shape our society and give us a sense of community. Each is revolutionary in its own ways and vary per person, but some happen to make a more direct impact on all of us. Unfortunately, repeated time and time again these events are typically negative due to a trauma stress response. Coronavirus beginning 2020 is and will always be a unifying factor for every person who can recall the events. Its unique, sudden, and unpredictable nature makes it prominent in our government, healthcare, and local communities. What I’ve come to the realization of is that Coronavirus also had a drastic effect on our life order and even our personalities. In an artic...
Read more

Slimy Skincare: The Effects of Snail Mucin on Skin

If you’ve been on the right side of TikTok for a decent amount of time, you’ve definitely noticed an uptick in the popularity of snail mucin in skincare. The skincare industry never fails in shifting the goalposts for women all over the world. There is always some new fad or brand that is the “must-have” for the week and then vanishes into obscurity. Even worse, some of these fads can end up negatively impacting your skin. I definitely don’t need to remind anyone of the tragedy that was the St. Ives scrub (holy microtears). Usually, trends in beauty and skincare are driven by brands rather than particular ingredients or additives, which makes the popularity of snail mucin even more notable. Are the beauty influencers finally onto something, or is this yet another damaging trend that no one will remember in a month? A study done in May 2022 using hairless mice as a proxy for human skin showed that snail mucin does in fact lessen the effects of aging. In this study, exposure to UV rays w...
Read more