Myths and truths about aspartame
Posted 12-07-2015 at 06:36 AM by DavidRaonic
Calories have traditionally been the focus of our health-conscious culture, with fat, sugar, carbohydrates and other ingredients being singled out as the cause of one health concern or another. Most public health agencies agree, however, that balancing calories with your activity level is the best path to achieving a healthy body weight and better overall well being.
While there are many ways to curb calories, aspartame - a low calorie sweetener used in many sugar-reduced or sugar-free products - has become a hot topic among health professionals and consumers alike. Rest assured that low-calorie sweeteners, like all food additives, undergo an extensive scientific review process to ensure they are safe for use in our food supply.
The Canadian Beverage Association has reviewed from the findings of top scientific bodies and academics from around the world, and busts some myths and reveals the truth about this ingredient.
Myth: Aspartame is not safe.
Fact: Aspartame has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed safe to consume, and in Canada has been approved as a food additive since 1981. Most recently, the European Food Safety Authority did the largest analysis of available science on aspartame, and found it to be safe.
Myth: Aspartame causes cancer.
Fact: Lifetime studies of animals and humans have been conducted and demonstrate no connection. All international food agencies agree there is no evidence for aspartame causing cancer, and all approve its use.
Myth: Aspartame can lead to diabetes.
Fact: Aspartame does not alter the blood insulin or blood glucose levels, which are indicators of diabetes. Health Canada has confirmed that aspartame is safe for people with diabetes, and provides an excellent alternative to sugar without the added calories and blood glucose spikes. Both the Canadian and American Diabetes Associations encourage its use to manage diabetes while still enjoying sweet foods or beverages.
Myth: Aspartame tricks the body into craving sugar, or will make me hungrier
Fact: Levels of hunger and fullness are the same after drinking a diet sweetened beverage compared to a full-calorie beverage. In fact, people who drink diet beverages reported feeling significantly less hungry than water-only consumers. Also, a study of people consuming either low calorie-sweetened beverages or water found that the sweeteners group reduced their intake of dessert and sugar intake more than the water group. Numerous studies have demonstrated that low calorie-sweeteners can assist with weight loss by helping to reduce calorie intake over time.
The beverage industry has set a goal through their Balance Calories initiative to reduce non-alcoholic beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 per cent by 2025.
While there are many ways to curb calories, aspartame - a low calorie sweetener used in many sugar-reduced or sugar-free products - has become a hot topic among health professionals and consumers alike. Rest assured that low-calorie sweeteners, like all food additives, undergo an extensive scientific review process to ensure they are safe for use in our food supply.
The Canadian Beverage Association has reviewed from the findings of top scientific bodies and academics from around the world, and busts some myths and reveals the truth about this ingredient.
Myth: Aspartame is not safe.
Fact: Aspartame has been thoroughly evaluated and deemed safe to consume, and in Canada has been approved as a food additive since 1981. Most recently, the European Food Safety Authority did the largest analysis of available science on aspartame, and found it to be safe.
Myth: Aspartame causes cancer.
Fact: Lifetime studies of animals and humans have been conducted and demonstrate no connection. All international food agencies agree there is no evidence for aspartame causing cancer, and all approve its use.
Myth: Aspartame can lead to diabetes.
Fact: Aspartame does not alter the blood insulin or blood glucose levels, which are indicators of diabetes. Health Canada has confirmed that aspartame is safe for people with diabetes, and provides an excellent alternative to sugar without the added calories and blood glucose spikes. Both the Canadian and American Diabetes Associations encourage its use to manage diabetes while still enjoying sweet foods or beverages.
Myth: Aspartame tricks the body into craving sugar, or will make me hungrier
Fact: Levels of hunger and fullness are the same after drinking a diet sweetened beverage compared to a full-calorie beverage. In fact, people who drink diet beverages reported feeling significantly less hungry than water-only consumers. Also, a study of people consuming either low calorie-sweetened beverages or water found that the sweeteners group reduced their intake of dessert and sugar intake more than the water group. Numerous studies have demonstrated that low calorie-sweeteners can assist with weight loss by helping to reduce calorie intake over time.
The beverage industry has set a goal through their Balance Calories initiative to reduce non-alcoholic beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 per cent by 2025.
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