Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact
Introduction Global sugar consumption remains at alarmingly high levels, far exceeding World Health Organization recommendations. This raises the question of whether sweeteners, as low-sugar substitutes, can become a key solution to help people switch to healthier alternatives. WHO guidelines su...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kazimierz Wielki University
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/56847 |
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| author | Milena Biernikiewicz Julia Biernikiewicz Anna Wilewska Bartosz Pomirski Agata Pomirska Agnieszka Borowiec Konstanty Alabrudziński Kinga Borowiec Paulina Kwaśniewska Artur Hovsepyan |
| author_facet | Milena Biernikiewicz Julia Biernikiewicz Anna Wilewska Bartosz Pomirski Agata Pomirska Agnieszka Borowiec Konstanty Alabrudziński Kinga Borowiec Paulina Kwaśniewska Artur Hovsepyan |
| author_sort | Milena Biernikiewicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Global sugar consumption remains at alarmingly high levels, far exceeding World Health Organization recommendations. This raises the question of whether sweeteners, as low-sugar substitutes, can become a key solution to help people switch to healthier alternatives. WHO guidelines suggest limiting free sugars to less than 10% of daily energy intake, with further benefits for reducing it to below 5%. Such changes can improve overall health and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Among many sugar substitutes, aspartame is one of the most widely used synthetic sweeteners.
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to review the health effects of aspartame, focusing on its safety, cancer risk, impact on metabolism, obesity, diabetes, and other long-term effects. This paper aims to present scientific evidence on aspartame’s safety, including studies supporting its use and those raising concerns. It also discusses potential risks, especially for individuals with phenylketonuria, and provides expert recommendations for its consumption.
Conclusion
Aspartame, a widely used sugar substitute, has caused controversy due to concerns about its long-term health effects, such as potential cancer and neurodegenerative risks. However, most health organizations consider aspartame safe when consumed in moderation. Despite some studies linking it to health issues, there is insufficient evidence to confirm these risks in humans. People with phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame, but for most, it is safe within recommended daily intake limits.
Materials and methods: Our review is based on an analysis of material collected in 'Pubmed', 'Google Scholar' and other scientific articles using the keywords: aspartame, aspartame safety, aspartame controversy.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d8b953eb4e9428ca4d3bc7c55409a9e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2391-8306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Kazimierz Wielki University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d8b953eb4e9428ca4d3bc7c55409a9e2025-08-20T02:13:43ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-02-017810.12775/JEHS.2025.78.56847Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health ImpactMilena Biernikiewicz0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7288-6965Julia Biernikiewicz1https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1192-9365Anna Wilewska2https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5136-4598Bartosz Pomirski3https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4868-0073Agata Pomirska4https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5367-7123Agnieszka Borowiec5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1428-170XKonstanty Alabrudziński6https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4729-0937Kinga Borowiec7https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5546-9787Paulina Kwaśniewska8https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4677-3387Artur Hovsepyan9https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0930-5839Wroclaw Medical University Medical University of WarsawMedical University of WarsawMedical University of WarsawMedical University of WarsawThe Regional Specialist Hospital in Biala Podlaska Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in OlsztynMedical University of Warsaw Medical University of Warsaw Pomeranian Medical University Introduction Global sugar consumption remains at alarmingly high levels, far exceeding World Health Organization recommendations. This raises the question of whether sweeteners, as low-sugar substitutes, can become a key solution to help people switch to healthier alternatives. WHO guidelines suggest limiting free sugars to less than 10% of daily energy intake, with further benefits for reducing it to below 5%. Such changes can improve overall health and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Among many sugar substitutes, aspartame is one of the most widely used synthetic sweeteners. Purpose The purpose of this article is to review the health effects of aspartame, focusing on its safety, cancer risk, impact on metabolism, obesity, diabetes, and other long-term effects. This paper aims to present scientific evidence on aspartame’s safety, including studies supporting its use and those raising concerns. It also discusses potential risks, especially for individuals with phenylketonuria, and provides expert recommendations for its consumption. Conclusion Aspartame, a widely used sugar substitute, has caused controversy due to concerns about its long-term health effects, such as potential cancer and neurodegenerative risks. However, most health organizations consider aspartame safe when consumed in moderation. Despite some studies linking it to health issues, there is insufficient evidence to confirm these risks in humans. People with phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame, but for most, it is safe within recommended daily intake limits. Materials and methods: Our review is based on an analysis of material collected in 'Pubmed', 'Google Scholar' and other scientific articles using the keywords: aspartame, aspartame safety, aspartame controversy. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/56847aspartameaspartame safetyaspartame controversy |
| spellingShingle | Milena Biernikiewicz Julia Biernikiewicz Anna Wilewska Bartosz Pomirski Agata Pomirska Agnieszka Borowiec Konstanty Alabrudziński Kinga Borowiec Paulina Kwaśniewska Artur Hovsepyan Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact Journal of Education, Health and Sport aspartame aspartame safety aspartame controversy |
| title | Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact |
| title_full | Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact |
| title_fullStr | Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact |
| title_short | Aspartame in the Diet: A Contribution to the Debate on Safety and Health Impact |
| title_sort | aspartame in the diet a contribution to the debate on safety and health impact |
| topic | aspartame aspartame safety aspartame controversy |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/56847 |
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