Aspartame is noncarbohydrate, nonnutritive artificial sweetener which is 200 times sweeter than (sucrose) regular or table sugar with almost zero calorie value. It contains 2 amino acids phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid with methyl ester bonding. It is considered as the best sugar substitute or alternative due to its intense sweetness. Only small amount of aspartame will provide the required level of sweetness with almost zero calories as compare to table sugar. This property of aspartame made it favorite for it use in diet (sugar free) products, in dairy products (yogurt, breakfast cereals) in diet beverages, in hot drinks (coffee and tea), in foods (canned food, jams jellies and chewing gum), in tooth paste and in pharmaceutical products (cough drops and chewable vitamins).
Aspartame grab the attention of world after its classification as PROBABLY CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS by IARC (International agency for research on cancer)
which is specialized cancer agency of WHO (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION).
Let’s check out the metabolism of aspartame which will help us to better understand the carcinogenic potential of aspartame.
HOW ASPARTAME METABOLIZE IN HUMAN BODY?
Aspartame metabolize into menthol, phenylalanine and aspartic acid in the gastrointestinal tract. After absorption, menthol is oxidized first into formaldehyde and then into formic acid in the liver. These metabolites of aspartame are more toxic than the aspartame itself especially at high doses or if aspartame is being consumed for prolong period of time. Menthol, formaldehyde and formic acid are already destructive to the liver cell and produces oxidative stress and mitochondrial changes within the cell.
WHY FORMALDEHYDE IS SUPPOSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE AS THE RISK FACTOR OF CANCER FOR ASPARTAME?
Formaldehyde which is CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS is of great concern. Suppose
if someone consume 600mg aspartame while taking 1L of sugar free soda then it will produce 60mg of formaldehyde which exceeds the Allowed Daily Intake (ADI) limit of formaldehyde which is 0.15mg per kg of body weight. On the contrary, ADI of aspartame is different in many countries which is normally range from 40_50 mg per kg body weight which means if someone has 70kg of body weight then the consumption of 9 to14 cans of soft drink per day without the intake of other aspartame containing food will exceed the ADI of aspartame and it will become risk factor of cancer.
IS ASPARTAME DEFINITELY CAUSE CANCER IF SOMEONE CONSUME IT?
No, not at all. IARC decision makes the aspartame probable carcinogenic to human in the light of limited evidences. Due to which aspartame consumption should be in moderation. Dose is very important for safety of any medicine or substance. Excessive consumption or consumption for prolong period of time is the risk factor of cancer which is probably due to aspartame metabolites especially formaldehyde which is already classify as carcinogenic to human by IARC.
CONCLUSION
Aspartame should be considered safe for human consumption in ADI limit. Hopefully future research results will cover all the gray areas for the carcinogenic potential of aspartame in humans and will assist us to better understand that how its causes cancer in humans with convincing evidences.
Great article on aspartame’s potential health risks! It’s important to understand how its metabolites could impact our bodies. Keep up the informative work!