Artificial sweeteners are often used as an alternative to sugar, as they do not contain calories and provide more sweetness than sugar. Artificial sweeteners, which are mostly used in diet products, are also used in many products such as chewing gum, soft drinks, and toothpaste. However, long-term and excessive use of artificial sweeteners carries risks in terms of health. "Aspartame" is the most widely used artificial sweetener.

What is Aspartame?

Aspartame is the methyl ester of the dipeptide composed of Aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Since it is about 200 times sweeter than sucrose, a very small amount may be sufficient. It also has a zero glycemic index. It gives 4 kcal per gram. In 1996, it was approved for use as a sweetener in foods and beverages, even if there are doubts about its use. Although aspartame has been accepted as safe for years, it has been reported that it can cause cancer, type 2 diabetes, and neurological damage as a result of studies. In addition, it has been stated that it may be associated with conditions such as headaches and increased severity of depression. For this reason, it should be used consciously.

In July 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) included Aspartame in the "probable human carcinogen" class.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has four different classification levels for a substance. These are
-Carcinogenic,
-Likely carcinogenic,
-Possibly carcinogenic, and
-Unclassifiable.

Determining these levels is based on how strong the evidence is rather than how dangerous a substance is.

So why "Probable"?

There is limited evidence about the relationship between aspartame and cancer. Aspartame has been extensively researched for years. A study of 100,000 adults in France found that people who consumed higher levels of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, had a higher risk of cancer.
 
Resources

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