Aspartame controversy
Aspartame Controversy
Aspartame (pronounced: /ˈæspərteɪm/) is a low-calorie artificial sweetener used in a variety of food and drink products as a sugar substitute. The controversy surrounding aspartame arises from claims of potential health risks, including cancer and neurological disorders, which have been largely dismissed by regulatory authorities and scientific consensus.
Etymology
The term "aspartame" is derived from the names of the two amino acids that make up the sweetener: aspartic acid and phenylalanine.
History
Aspartame was first synthesized in 1965 by James M. Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. It was approved for use in food products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981. Since then, it has been the subject of numerous studies and reviews regarding its safety.
Health Concerns
The primary health concern associated with aspartame is its potential to cause cancer. This concern is largely based on studies conducted on rats, which have shown an increased incidence of tumors when the animals were fed high doses of aspartame. However, these findings have not been replicated in human studies.
Another concern is the potential for aspartame to cause neurological disorders, such as headaches, seizures, and mood disorders. Again, while some studies have suggested a possible link, the majority of research has found no association between aspartame consumption and these conditions.
Regulatory Status
Despite the controversy, aspartame has been deemed safe for consumption by the general population by numerous regulatory authorities, including the FDA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations have set acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels for aspartame, which are far higher than the amounts typically consumed in the diet.
Related Terms
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): A genetic disorder that prevents the body from breaking down phenylalanine, one of the components of aspartame. People with PKU are advised to avoid aspartame.
- Artificial sweeteners: Substances used to sweeten foods and drinks without adding calories. Other examples include saccharin and sucralose.
- Sugar substitute: A food additive that provides a sweet taste like that of sugar while containing significantly less food energy.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aspartame controversy
- Wikipedia's article - Aspartame controversy
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski