Good news about the safety of low-calorie sweeteners
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(ARA) When it comes to favorite tastes, our sweet tooth always wins. That is why it is not surprising for people to indulge in their favorite desserts, candies and beverages on a regular basis, despite knowing that all of those sweet calories eventually add up.
Growing concerns about the obesity epidemic, however, have piqued our interest in finding our favorite foods with fewer calories. One way we are reducing caloric intake is by purchasing foods and beverages that are made with low-calorie sweeteners.
Recent consumer surveys find that taste, safety and convenience are the top three factors influencing our food purchases. Similarly, we sometimes opt for foods that we associate with wellness or good health, but we wish they would taste as wonderful as our favorite treats. Low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose allow people to enjoy the sugar-like sweetness of our favorite foods, but without the unwanted calories.
According to a recent analysis by SRI Consulting, aspartame, with almost 60 percent of market share, is chosen most often by manufacturers of products with low calorie sweeteners. Aspartame is estimated to be used in more than 6,000 food products worldwide, including most diet soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gums, gelatins, yogurts and more.
For many years, unfounded misinformation about aspartame found its way into the discussion about low-calorie foods and beverages. However, people should be reassured because this phenomenon recently has been addressed with the most extensive research review ever conducted about aspartame's safety published in September 2007.
A blue ribbon panel of international toxicology experts spent nearly a year reviewing the totality of aspartame research from around the world more than 500 scientific articles and confirmed the proven safety of aspartame. Bernadene A. Magnuson, Ph.D., a University of Maryland food toxicologist, served as panel coordinator for the distinguished eight-member panel chaired by William J. Waddel, MD, Professor and Chair, Emeritus of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
"The report reviewed and integrated the body of research on aspartame published over the past four decades in the FDA Federal Register, National Toxicology Program studies reports, scientific literature databases and over 500 research articles," explained Magnuson. "Consumption, application and use of aspartame was thoroughly reviewed as well as the metabolism of the product. Consumption, even at levels much higher than that expected under typical circumstances, has virtually no impact on levels of blood constituents such as amino acids, methanol or glucose."
With people seeking clarity about harmful effects, the good news is that similar to previous studies of aspartame, no adverse effects were noted when ingesting aspartame at higher than recommended levels for headaches, seizures, pregnancy and infant development, or any form of cancer. "No credible link was noted between consumption of aspartame at levels found in the human diet and conditions related to the nervous system and behavior, nor any other symptom or illness. It does not increase hunger in those who use it; to the contrary, studies indicate it might be an effective tool as part of an overall weight management program," the panel concluded. While this conclusion may not have been surprising to the health professional community and regulatory agencies that have confirmed aspartame's safety time and time again, it should be reassuring to consumers.
As we make decisions about which foods to consume, and make our best efforts to consume our favorite foods in moderation, it is important to be aware of all of the facts to make healthy choices. While finding the right balance of nutritious and tasty foods requires due diligence, what it absolutely clear is that low-calorie sweeteners can be a part of the solution.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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