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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Does aspartame cause cancer?

    Related Topic
    Nutrition
    My wife keeps telling me that equal is bad for me. Is this true?
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    Dr Rebecca Reynolds

    Nutritionist

    Rebecca Charlotte Reynolds, PhD (Dr Bec) Personable and ethical registered nutritionist (RNutr) and lecturer at UNSW Australia in lifestyle and health. Regular consultant to the … View Profile

    There is no clear evidence that artificial sweeteners available commercially cause cancer.  As long as you don't have huge doses, you'll very likely be fine!

    However, there is some evidence that artificial sweeteners can mess with your hunger and fullness…
    http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Low-calorie-sweetener-may-not-increase-satiety-suggests-study

    More on cancer here:
    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners

    In summary, none is the best option, low-moderate intake an ok option!  Your wife can relax :)

    Dr B

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    Dr Beau Woods

    Chiropractor

    Dr Beau Woods Chiropractor BSc. BChiro (Murdoch)Special interests; Postural correction, family care, spine related disorders, fibromyalgia & motor vehicle injuries. View Profile

    In 2005, a laboratory study found more lymphomas and leukemias in rats fed very high doses of aspartame (equivalent to drinking 8 to 2,083 cans of diet soda daily). However, there were some inconsistencies in the findings.

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    Aidan Ma

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Hi there!

    Good question and I think a question that everyone out there tends to have differing opinions on.

    I would just like to add my two cents about Aspartame and other artificial sweetners in regard their usage, weight management and possible complications. From my experience dealing with clients that have struggled with their weight and particularly sugar cravings.

    I believe It's okay to have a little bit a day (everything in moderation, right?) but having litres of diet soft drinks or other diet foods would not be advisable. Basically artificial sweeteners although they have zero calories, can actually be up to 200 times sweeter than sugar in itself. When this is tasted on the tongue, the brain actually is primed to look for more sugar. So is it really solving your sugar craving?

    To add a second point there is some evidence that large amounts can cause mitochrondrial damage in cells, this is very large amounts though but still. I guess to sum up if you are finding that you need to use large amounts of it to lose weight it can actually a reverse effect in terms of your body will still be craving sugar and ultimately you will give in to that craving and over time you could gain weight. This gain in weight and body fat over time as common knowledge can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

    What to do instead?

    I believe finding sweet options from NATURAL sources of sugar such as fruit, dairy products and honey to name a few. A little bit of sugar is OK it's just too much that can be a problem. So I guess to sum up. As posters have said, having some sweetners in your diet is not directly linked to chronic diseases such as cancer HOWEVER I still don't think having too much of anything would be advisable for the reasons I have stated above.

    Hope that helps.

    Aidan Ma
    DNA Dietitians

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  • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    The idea that aspartame is linked ro cancer is a well-known Web conspiracy theory/hoax. This Wikipedia article has a well-referenced section on the hoax: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame_controversy#Internet_hoax_conspiracy_theory .

    This local article from a DSTO scientist (with no industry funding) is also helpful:
    https://theconversation.com/sweet-news-no-evidence-that-artificial-sweetener-aspartames-bad-for-you-12608 .

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