5 Aspartame Myths & Truths You Should Know

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Last April 2015, PepsiCo has announced that it will stop using aspartame in the production of all its sugar-free beverages. Instead, they will be using a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium which will be made available in the market by August. 

With all the negative publicity being linked to aspartame, consumers are left in a confused state, undecided as to whether they should ditch the artificial sweetener for good. In order to put a rest to the issue, here is a list of the top 5 aspartame myths & truths that consumers need to know:

MYTH: Consumption of aspartame will lead to cancer.

TRUTH: An article published by American Cancer Society (ACS) confirms that two studies, one done in a lab while the other done on people, showed no definitive evidence linking aspartame to cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), which approved the use of aspartame in the 1980s, has stated that it finds no reason to consider this artificial sweetener as unsafe.

MYTH: Aspartame is deadly for people with diabetes.

TRUTH: According to Joslin Diabetes Center, as aspartame does not contain any calories in the usual amount it is used, it cannot increase the blood glucose nor cause weight gain.

MYTH: Aspartame can lead to weight gain.

TRUTH: The Aspartame Organization states that body weight is affected by many factors and based on scientific evidence from several research, there is no link identifying aspartame to weight gain as it does not trigger hunger nor increase appetite.

MYTH: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid aspartame at all cost.

TRUTH: The USFDA and the Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Association believes that pregnant and breastfeeding women can consume aspartame as a replacement for sugar. The only time they should be concerned is when the child being breast-fed has phenylketonuria. 

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic condition that hinders the body to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, notes Business Insider. Once phenylalanine builds up in blood, it can prevent important chemicals from reaching the brain which causes abnormal brain development. Because phenylalanine is present in aspartame, people with PKU should limit their consumption of this artificial sweetener.

MYTH: Continuous consumption of aspartame can lead to medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and lupus erythematosus.

TRUTH: Accodring to a News Medical article, the National Parkinson Foundation has confirmed that Parkinson's Disease has no known cause and has existed before the invention of aspartame. Both the Alzheimer's Association and Lupus Foundation of America have concluded that there is no scientific evidence linking aspartame to memory loss nor the worsening of systemic lupus erythematosus.