The World Health Organization released its findings on the artificial sweetener, aspartame.
What You Need To Know
- The food agency within the World Health Organization’s indicated that aspartame is safe
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer within the WHO also released findings indicating aspartame is a potential carcinogen
- Experts said people looking for alternative sweeteners can use vanilla, cinnamon or ginger
Aspartame is found in many popular drinks and foods. Leslie Bonci, dietitian and owner of Active Eating Advice, said people should know that there’s been a lot of research done on aspartame over the past few decades, finding it safe.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer found “limited evidence that aspartame may be carcinogenic to human beings,” Bonci said.
”And that was not based on new research. That was based on previous studies that were not well designed,” she added, saying the acceptable daily intake of aspartame at a safe level has not changed, so people shouldn’t be worried.
For those wanting to make a change regardless of the latest news, Bonci said, outside of water, juice, milk or tea, there are other natural flavors that don’t contain aspartame.
“If people want to add the taste of sweet to the things that they eat, even using things like vanilla and cinnamon and ginger will add a sweet taste, and there’s nothing in them short of the fact that they are spices and herbs.”
