Is the artificial sweetener aspartame that is under discussion carcinogenic?
As it is announced that the World Health Organization will add aspartame to its list of 'substances likely to be carcinogenic' has fueled the debate about the health effects of this artificial sweetener. Assoc. Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu, who clarified what effects aspartame may have on health, states that there are no negative results from the researches in general. However, since each person's health status is different, he emphasizes that the health expert should be consulted before consuming any sweetener, and underlines that the WHO's decision should be well evaluated.
Its use should be limited considering that it may have a cancer-causing effect!
Üsküdar University Graduate School of Addiction and Forensic Sciences Head of the Department of Biosafety Assoc. Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu made evaluations about the negative effects of aspartame on health, which is used in many products as an artificial sweetener. Noting that WHO is preparing to add aspartame to the list as a potential cancer-causing, Assoc. Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu stated that there has been a long debate about the effects of the artificial substance called aspartame on health, which is used as a sweetener in many dietary products. Assoc. Prof. Yılancıoğlu said that "It is found in many food and beverage products due to its low-calorie content and sweet taste. The recent announcement that the World Health Organization will add aspartame to its list of 'substances likely to be carcinogenic' has fueled the debate about its health effects.".
Its use should be limited!
Yılancıoğlu, who clarified what adverse effects of aspartame could have on health, put cancer risk at the top of the list and continued:
"There are many claims that aspartame is associated with cancer. However, authorities such as the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization have so far not shown aspartame to be associated with cancer in the first degree. Despite of this, the WHO is preparing to add aspartame to the list as a potential cancer-causing agent. Of course, they would not be able to make a statement so harsh that they could directly target a multi-billion-dollar sweetener industry. This is a serious warning, in fact, its use should be limited considering that it may have a cancer-causing effect in one way or another.".
Sweeteners adversely affect the intestinal flora
Reminding that aspartame is also preferred by people aiming for weight loss or weight control because it is low in calories, Assoc. Prof. Kaan Yılancıoğlu said that "Some research suggests that aspartame can increase appetite and cause weight gain. However, the results of studies on this subject are contradictory and more research needs to be done. On the other hand, we do know that sweeteners adversely affect the beneficial bacteria that make up our gut flora, our microbiota. This alone can accelerate weight gain.". Noting that some people have reported that aspartame causes symptoms such as migraines or headaches, Yılancıoğlu said that "However, research on this issue has not been able to provide conclusive evidence that aspartame triggers migraines. It is stated that individuals with migraines reducing aspartame consumption can reduce symptoms.".
WHO's decision should be well evaluated
Stating that the metabolic effects of aspartame are also controversial, Yılancıoğlu stated that "Some research shows that aspartame can affect blood sugar and insulin levels. However, it is still unclear whether these effects are clinically significant. It is also claimed that aspartame increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. The reason for this is argued that sweeteners that disrupt the gut microbiome thus destroy metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Gut bacteria also need sugar, and the sweetener molecules offered to them instead of sugar can disrupt their metabolism and damage beneficial bacteria.".
Stating that there are various opinions about aspartame and its effects on health, Yılancıoğlu summarized his remarks as follows: "Although some people have reported the potential harms of aspartame, many health authorities and research organizations state that aspartame is safe, but also say that caution is needed. However, it is important to consult your own healthcare provider before consuming any sweetener because every individual's health status is different. Moreover, the WHO's decision should be well evaluated. It is a message...".
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)