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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Can aspartame-sweetened products safely help with weight loss?
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Can aspartame-sweetened products safely help with weight loss?

Authors

  • Adam Wojcieszonek Pomeranian Medical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9295-2353
  • Justyna Szpyt Pomeranian Medical University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1686-069X
  • Kacper Pajor Pomeranian Medical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7280-3254
  • Viktoria Hawryłkowicz Pomeranian Medical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8975-8824

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.09.039

Keywords

Aspartame, Sweeteners, Obesity, Weight Reduction Diet

Abstract

One of the main causes of obesity is the high consumption of products rich in easily absorbed carbohydrates. Sweet products with lower energy value, which sweetness comes from artificial sweeteners are becoming more and more popular. One of the most examined and popular is aspartame. This sweetener is broken down in the human body among others to methanol, which is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid, that are toxic to the human body. Furthermore, there is an ongoing discussion about the potential carcinogenicity and the impact of aspartame on the gut microbiota. A literature review was conducted to determine whether aspartame could be considered a safe weight loss aid.

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines indicate that the toxic dose of aspartame in chronic use is 4000 mg per every kilogram of body mass per day. On the other hand, there are studies on rats that indicate that EFSA's position is overly optimistic. However, it should be noted, that so high consumption situations of this sweetener that would allow to approach the recommended daily maximum are extremely rare. The amount of methanol provided by aspartame-sweetened foods also makes it extremely difficult to achieve toxic levels. Aspartame has also been shown not to affect the gut microbiota.

What is important from a dietary point of view, study that compared the consumption of "light" drinks with water showed that people on a diet and consuming "light" drinks achieved significantly greater weight reduction (approx. 1.24 kg) compared to people consuming only water. The use of aspartame as a substitute for sugar may help in reducing excess body weight. However, attention should be paid to the inconclusive results regarding the acceptable safe level of consumption of this sweetener.

References

Kłosiewicz-Latoszek L. Otyłość jako problem społeczny, zdrowotny i leczniczy. Probl Hig Epidemiol. 2010; 91(3): 339–343.

World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight (access: 12.08.2020).

Szymocha M, Bryła M, Maniecka-Bryła M. Epidemia otyłości w XXI wieku. Zdrowie Publiczne. 2009;119(2): 207-212.

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Higgins K, Mattes R. A randomized controlled trial contrasting the effects of 4 low-calorie sweeteners and sucrose on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2019;109(5):1288–1301. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy381.

Świąder K, Waszkiewicz-Robak B, Świderski F. Substancje intensywnie słodzące – korzyści i zagrożenia. Probl Hig Epidemiol. 2011, 92(3): 392-396

Monte WC. Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Health. J Appl Nutr. 1984;36(1).

Magnuson B, Burdock G, Doull J, Kroes R, Marsh G et al. Aspartame: a safety evaluation based on current use levels, regulations, and toxicological and epidemiological studies. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 2007; 37(8): 629–727. doi: 10.1080/10408440701516184.

Soffritti M, Belpoggi F, Esposti D, Lambertini L, Tibaldi E, Rigano A. First experimental demonstration of the multipotential carcinogenic effects of aspartame administered in the feed to Sprague-Dawley rats. Environ Health Perspect. 2006; 114(3): 379-385. doi: 10.1289/ehp.8711

Chattopadhyay S, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R. Artificial sweeteners – a review. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2014; 51(4): 611-621. doi: 10.1007/s13197-011-0571-1.

CORDIS | European Commission. Findings on risk from aspartame are inconclusive, says EFSA. https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/25605-findings-on-risk-from-aspartame-are-inconclusive-says-efsa. (access: 15.08.2020).

Ruiz-Ojeda F, Plaza-Díaz J, Sáez-Lara M, Gil A. Effects of Sweeteners on the Gut Microbiota: A Review of Experimental Studies and Clinical Trials. Adv. Nutr. Bethesda Md. 2019; 10(1): 31-48. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmy037.

Rogers P, Hogenkamp P, De Gaaf C, Higgs S, Lluch A et al. Does low-energy sweetener consumption affect energy intake and body weight? A systematic review, including meta-analyses, of the evidence from human and animal studies. Int. J. Obes. 2016; 40(3): 381–394. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2015.177.

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Published

2020-09-15

How to Cite

1.
WOJCIESZONEK, Adam, SZPYT, Justyna, PAJOR, Kacper and HAWRYŁKOWICZ, Viktoria. Can aspartame-sweetened products safely help with weight loss?. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 15 September 2020. Vol. 10, no. 9, pp. 345-348. [Accessed 6 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.09.039.
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Vol. 10 No. 9 (2020)

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Review Articles

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