What is the relationship between aspartame and cancer?
Despite the long -term reputation, there is currently no demonstrable connection between the artificial sweetener aspartame and cancer. Findings from various global studies that show this are supported by the United States of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institute for Cancer (NCI), the American Cancer® (ACS) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It seems that most of the aspartame concerns come from the misunderstanding of what will happen to him in the body, several studies that seemed to associate them with health problems, and a widely transmitted e-mail that claims to cause a wide range of diseases. Despite their studies that indicate that it is safe, some people decide to avoid its consumption due to individual sensitivity or just be on the safe side.
Common arguments
One of the most common aspartame claims is that it decomposes into carcinogens, substances that increase the risk of cancer. This Generals comes from the misunderstanding of thatAK is metabolized. Once in the body, aspartame is divided into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. Those who claim that there is a connection between aspartame and cancer points out how the body transforms methanol into formaldehyde and formic acid, which are carcinogens.
This is the process; However, people's blood tests after aspartame consumption show that the concentration of aspartic and methanol acid is extremely slight and in many cases does not appear. Phenylalanine occurs in tests, but usually only if one consumes a lot of aspartame - the equivalent of a person of 155 lb (70 kg), which drinks more than 17 oz (355 ml) diet soda. Moreover, aspartame is not the main source of aspartic acid, phenylalanine or methanol. For example, a glass of fruit juice has more methanol than a can of diet Soda Avejka has three times phenylalanin.
Studies
other aspart argumentsMU and cancer often stem from several studies: one from Olney et al. in 1996; One from a little et al. in 1998; and one from Suffritti et al. In 2007. The Olney study examined data on the number of people who developed brain tumors from 1975 to 1992. It concluded that there was a connection between aspartame and brain cancer because in the mid -80s there was a significant increase in brain tumors. The study was criticized for incorrect data interpretation: the diagnosis of brain tumor began to increase at the beginning of the 70s. Reviewers also criticized this for not taking into account other possible causes of news, such as improving diagnostic methods.
The study of a little bit tried to show the link between aspartame and liver cancer, suggesting that it has caused some potentially toxic or carcinogenic radioactive DNA and protein substances accumulate in the liver rats. Finding and methodology of this stUdia was also criticized. The way the authors watched the broken aspartame components in test rats was because the methanol part of the radioactive, so it can be traced. Since methanol tears when it is metabolized and moves all over the body, and the authors did not identify substances in the liver like their methanol, it cannot be proven that they were caused by aspartame. Similar studies did not bring the same results.
Newer Soffritti studies indicated that aspartame caused breast cancer, lymphomas and leukemia in test rats. Scientists have criticized the way of performing the study and the way the data was interpreted. One of the main critics was that the authors did not take into account that the type of rats they used are particularly susceptible to certain cancer. Another was that she considered the study only the specifics of tumors and did not take into account other possible reasons why the rat could develop cancer. Other studies in which rats were given much higher doses did not bring similar results.
Other claims
People also claimed that aspartame causes a wide range of congenital defects, attention disorders (ADD) and attention disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, diabetes and seizures. Some also say that it damages brain cells and causes mood disorders. Despite these claims, tests were performed on its effects in a wide range of groups, including adult men and women, children and adolescents, diabetics, phenylketonurics, those with mood disorders, people with Parkinson's disease, epileptics and those with ADD and ADHD. None of these conditions and aspartame could be determined by any connection, even if people in studies were given much more than a normal person consumes them.
Actual Health Risks
Some people have an individual sensitivity to aspartame, which can cause a number of symptoms, including headaches and mood changes. Also those with phenylketonuria (pku) should avoid it consumption because their tThey cannot properly metabolize phenylalanine. This can lead to the accumulation of phenylalanine in the body, which can damage the nervous system and brain. Some people who do not have sensitivity or PKu will also decide because researching the relationship between aspartame and cancer and findings could change.