A sweetener used in Diet Coke and other sugar-free fizzy drinks may cause cancer, according to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO). Aspartame, which is listed in the ingredients of popular soft drinks, is set to be classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) next month, as reported by Reuters.
Since 1981, the Joint US Food and Agriculture/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has deemed aspartame safe for consumption within accepted daily limits based on a person’s body weight. The committee estimates that a nine-stone person would need to drink 12 to 36 cans of Diet Coke a day to experience adverse effects from aspartame.
Experts responding to the Reuters report have urged caution and advised waiting for the IARC’s final announcement. They emphasize that a substance being classified as „possibly carcinogenic“ does not necessarily mean it poses a risk to humans under normal circumstances.
Aspartame is one of the most studied sweeteners in the world, with over 100 studies conducted on the product, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Despite the WHO’s upcoming classification, the US National Cancer Institute has not listed aspartame as carcinogenic.
In the UK, aspartame is approved for use, with the NHS stating that reports linking sweeteners to health issues have limited evidence. Cancer Research UK also maintains that sweeteners do not cause cancer.
While aspartame is primarily known for its use in fizzy drinks, it can also be found in a variety of other foods, including breakfast cereals, chewing gum, vitamins, gelatin, ice cream, puddings, tabletop sweeteners, fruit spreads, low-fat yogurts, and more.
Some studies have suggested potential side effects of aspartame, such as weight gain and neurobehavioral health issues like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. However, the NHS notes that using sweeteners instead of sugar can aid in weight control.
Experts like Professor Kevin McConway from the Open University and Professor Oliver Jones from RMIT University emphasize the importance of waiting for the full IARC evaluation before drawing conclusions. They stress that the dose and exposure to a substance determine its potential harm.
Overall, while the WHO’s upcoming classification may raise concerns, it is essential to consider all available evidence and expert opinions before making conclusions about the safety of aspartame. Yahoo News has reached out to Coca-Cola for comment on the matter.