Aspartame: The Controversial Food Additive

Even though not proved scientifically but it has been claimed that aspartame can be a cause for weight gain, seizures, cancer, headaches, and can also lead to mental dysfunction.

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in food products such as sugar-free items like gum, candy, ice cream, and yogurt. It is also used in beverages such as fruit juice and diet soda.

Aspartame has always been a controversial food additive. It is sweeter than sugar and thus is used in a small amount in the diet foods and beverages. Organizations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the World Health Organization have considered aspartame to be safe. FDA has restricted the amount to which aspartame can be taken on a daily basis.

Studies have claimed that aspartame can promote cancer or brain tumors. The European Rmazzi Foundation had claimed that aspartame can lead to cancer based on the studies performed on animals. Though it was further concluded that it was irrelevant to humans by others.

Aspartame is majorly used in diet foods and has no major effect on the waistline. But in some studies and reviews, it was claimed that low-calorie sweeteners have no effect on weight loss. It can lead to a negative impact on metabolism and may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Clinical studies have been also performed to find any kind of relation between aspartame and seizures. But there were no factors that supported that aspartame can trigger seizures.

It was concluded by some of the researchers that artificial sweeteners by itself do not affect metabolism but when combined with carbohydrate it creates some problems.

The global aspartame market is anticipated to gain significant gains during the forecast period. The published report on this topic by Market Research Store anticipates that the market will witness a good growth rate in the coming years owing to an increase in the demand for low-calorie food products.