Aspartame

In Europe, it is authorized for use, at certain levels, in beverages, chewing gum, dairy, pastry, dietary and weight control products, as well as being used as a table sweetener.

How many

As with other additives, there is also an acceptable daily dose for aspartame, expressed in mg / kg body weight / day equal to 40 mg / kg / day. With consumption within this value there should be no health risks, even in the most vulnerable individuals.

See also

Foods with vitamin D: the most effective foods to supplement their intake

Does watermelon make you fat? Everything you need to know about summer fruit for ex

Food pyramid: the importance of knowing it in order to eat well

Safety

The health safety of aspartame, however, has been the subject of much controversy since its entry into the market in the 1980s. Some experimental studies show an increase in tumors in rodents exposed to aspartame. In 2009 and 2011 EFSA evaluated these studies highlighting methodological problems, while the metabolites of aspartame, in particular phenylalanine and methanol, are still under discussion, both for toxicity and for the quantity that can accumulate in the body.
However, it is essential to remember that aspartame is not taken only by adding food and drinks but much more often it is ingested through foods already sweetened with it. Almost all foods, drinks and "light" or "sugar-free" candies contain it.
Once ingested, aspartame is broken down in the intestine into three components: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, all substances normally present in the body. These amino acids are found in all foods that contain proteins, including meat, grains and dairy products. Methanol occurs naturally in our body, in fruit and vegetables. Aspartame is therefore digested like any other amino acid.
A review of scientific studies conducted by five Italian researchers, published in July 2013 on Food and Chemical Toxicology, reconfirmed the safety of the sweetener. The publication reviewed studies published over the past 22 years on the consumption of low calorie sweeteners, mainly aspartame, and concluded that it does not cause health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease or premature birth.

pros and cons

Sugar alcohols and intense sweeteners do not cause tooth decay, unlike sugar. By considerably lowering the energy value of some products, they can be useful for those suffering from addiction to sweets. Choosing sweetened foods allows you to limit weight gain. For dieters, reasonable consumption of sweeteners makes the diet more enjoyable and, therefore, easier to follow and more effective. But beware: sweeteners and sweeteners often make you want more sweet foods, because they don't satisfy the palate. So, it's better to indulge in a teaspoon of sugar in your coffee, but once a day. Also because studies show that those who rely too much on artificially sweetened foods and drinks are likely to end up eating more.