Every so often the sweeteners They become news for their possible harmful effects on health. This year we have already had two controversies: that of erythritol in March and that of saccharin and stevia in May. Now it’s aspartame’s turn. In 7 keys we summarize everything you need to know to avoid getting lost in “aspartamogate”.
It’s a white, odorless powder, about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It has been authorized in Europe to be used as an additive for more than 30 years and, being almost as old as me, it has given time to do hundreds of studies to analyze its possible toxicity.
It is found primarily in sugar-free soft drinks, gum, gelatin, ice cream, dairy products such as yogurt, breakfast cereals, toothpaste, and medications such as cough drops and chewable vitamins.
A few days ago it was leaked that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) belonging to the WHO, was going to include aspartame in the list of carcinogens within group 2B “possibly carcinogenic”. To give us an idea, group 2B includes 322 different agents, ranging from aloe vera leaf extract, Ginkgo biloba extract or pickled vegetables to engine exhaust.
Just to contextualize, it is a good time to remember that in group 1 of this classification“carcinogenic to health” (i.e. not possibly, but directly carcinogenic), best friends meet at children’s dinners (sausages, cold cuts, hamburgers…). And we don’t mount a chicken every two months to the sausages. Alcohol is also in group 1 and there are still those who sell wine and beer for their healthy properties.