Dear Editor, Over the ages, sweeteners either naturally occurring or artificial derivatives have been largely used in the diet worldwide. Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners, used as a sugar alternative in various foodstuffs and low-calorie beverages. Diet soda, chewing gum, gelatin, and ice cream are some of these foodstuffs in which aspartame is used. Artificial sweeteners are also used to give a touch of sweetness to medications such as cough drops as well as chewable vitamins. There is a wide range of sweeteners: nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs). Nutritive sweeteners contain carbohydrates and provide energy. Higher intake of such substances is associated with high-energy intake causing an increase in the risk for obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. On the contrary, other types of sweeteners add sweetness with less calorie consumption. Such foods contain polyols and can, within food labeling guidelines, be labeled as sugar-free and are also called as NNSs.1 Aspartame is one of the NNSs. The use of artificial sweeteners started centuries ago and was also used extensively during world wars. However, out of different categories of sweeteners used, aspartame became popular among food industry owing to its relative safety and lack of carcinogenic effect. Use of aspartame in the various products sold in the market today has raised concerns amongst the consumers about side effects of the artificial sweeteners and people have become more aware of the level of intake of these products. Thereafter, concerns were raised regarding the use of aspartame as a weight loss strategy and its potential role as a carcinogen. Hence, the safe use of aspartame in food was studied extensively in humans and animal models. The Cesare Maltoni Centre conducted a long-term bioassay on aspartame.2 The results of the study showed for the first time that aspartame in experimental conditions caused an increased incidence of various types of malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia and transitional cell carcinomas. Thereafter, results of other studies indicated that aspartame could be carcinogenic at a daily dose of 20 mg/kg body weight which is much less than the current acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight.3 However, contradictory to previous studies which indicated a potential role of aspartame as a carcinogen, one systematic review stated that consumption of aspartame is safe and the previous findings are inconsistent.4 Furthermore, as per the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization, there is no strong evidence of aspartame being carcinogenic, with acceptable daily intake.5 Hence, to conclude, daily consumption of aspartame should be based on the evidence of possible carcinogenicity and should be within prescribed daily limits and should not be consumed over a long period of time and further research in this field is required. Addressing these issues may help the general population to consume food products containing aspartame wisely and safely. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Kumbhar et al. (Sat,) studied this question.