Aspartame is a popular artificial sweetener that has been linked to cancer in some studies. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there is no convincing evidence that aspartame causes cancer in humans.
WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” This means that there is some evidence that aspartame may cause cancer, but the evidence is not conclusive.
The IARC’s classification is based on a review of several studies that have looked at the link between aspartame and cancer. Some of these studies have found a small increase in the risk of cancer in people who consume aspartame, while others have found no link.
The WHO has said that the evidence for a link between aspartame and cancer is “limited” and that more research is needed. The agency also said that the acceptable daily intake of aspartame is 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. This means that a 150-pound person could safely consume up to 2,400 milligrams of aspartame per day.
Aspartame is found in many diet sodas, sugar-free gum, and other foods and beverages. It is also used in some medications.
The FDA has said that it does not believe that aspartame is a carcinogen. The agency has reviewed the IARC’s classification and said that it does not change the FDA’s safety assessment of aspartame.
The WHO’s classification of aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” is a controversial issue. Some people believe that the evidence is strong enough to warrant a more serious classification, while others believe that the evidence is not strong enough to support a link between aspartame and cancer.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to consume aspartame is a personal one. People should weigh the risks and benefits of aspartame and make a decision that is right for them.
Here are some additional details about aspartame and Diet Coke:
- Diet Coke contains aspartame as its primary sweetener.
- Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, so products don’t need as much of it.
- A 12-ounce can of Diet Coke contains about 100 milligrams of aspartame.
- The FDA has set the acceptable daily intake of aspartame at 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
- This means that a 150-pound person could safely consume up to 40 cans of Diet Coke per day.
It is important to note that the IARC’s classification of aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” does not mean that Diet Coke causes cancer. The IARC’s classification is based on a review of several studies that have looked at the link between aspartame and cancer, but the evidence is not conclusive. The FDA has said that it does not believe that aspartame is a carcinogen.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to drink Diet Coke is a personal one. People should weigh the risks and benefits of Diet Coke and make a decision that is right for them.
