Common food swap linked to 'aggressive' cancer, study finds

A recent study from China has raised alarm bells over the link between aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, and glioblastoma, the deadliest type of primary brain tumour, reports News Medical. The sweetener is often used in place of sugar, and research published in Scientific Reports, used mouse models to examine into the specific changes aspartame induces in gut bacteria and its subsequent effect on glioblastoma progression.

The study suggests that aspartame consumption could foster conditions in the gut conducive to tumour growth. Notably, increased intake of aspartame was associated with a decrease in Rikenellaceae family bacteria levels in the gut, which have been implicated in various health problems including obesity, Parkinson's disease, and HIV.

Furthermore, the research identified a link between aspartame use and gene regulation within glioblastoma tumours. Researchers said: "Our findings not only provide critical evidence for evaluating the safety of artificial sweeteners but also offer a comprehensive assessment of their impact on tumour progression.

"These insights open new avenues for GBM treatment strategies, including gene-targeted therapies and microbial-based interventions, among others."

The team plans to extend their research to further understand the effects of aspartame-induced changes on metabolism and the tumour microenvironment. A previous collaborative report, involving bodies like the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has tagged aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic'.

This categorisation suggests that it might have the potential to cause cancer in humans, although definitive proof is lacking. The report has set the acceptable daily intake of aspartame at 40mg per kilogram of body weight.

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So a person weighing 80kg should not exceed a daily aspartame consumption of 3.2g. Although this may appear to be a generous limit, aspartame is present in many common products, particularly those branded as 'diet' or sugar-free. For instance, a single can of certain fizzy drinks could contain as much as 200mg of aspartame.

Aspartame is also an ingredient in various other products, such as some medications and chewable vitamins. According to experts at ZOE, it's around 200 times sweeter than traditional sugar.

Despite assurances of its safety from international regulatory authorities, researchers have been voicing their concerns about aspartame through numerous studies over the years. Yet, a 2019 BMJ review analysing these studies concluded that there were no significant health risks or benefits linked to artificial sweeteners, mainly due to the fact that most studies involved too few participants, were short-term, or were not of high quality.

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In line with this, a 2022 World Health Organisation review also remarked: "There is (a) suggestion of negative health effects with long-term use, but the evidence is ultimately inconclusive." The 'adverse health impacts' highlighted in the review encompassed issues such as obesity, type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even mortality.

However, experts from ZOE offered a glimmer of hope: "Entirely avoiding aspartame would be incredibly challenging, and it might not be necessary. A diet with a wide variety of plant-based foods is the healthiest choice.

"And it's less healthy to consume high amounts of ultra-processed foods, which are more likely to contain aspartame. So, whenever you can, opt for fresh ingredients, fruits and vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds, and the like.

"Aim to have 30 different plant foods each week. That way, your intake of ultra-processed foods, and therefore aspartame, will naturally decline."