Aspartame, a sweetener used in a multitude of food products, will soon be classified as “probably carcinogenic” by the WHO. While this news may seem alarming, you don’t have to throw away your entire pantry. In fact, many foods or food products that we consume daily carry the same label, such as red meat and coffee. This classification informs us about potential risk and should not solely guide our dietary choices.
However, this news could raise awareness about your consumption of sweeteners. These ingredients, including aspartame, sucralose, stevia, and many others, are widely used in the food industry, particularly in “diet” products. Due to their high sweetening power, they can replace sugar without providing additional calories. However, several studies have shown that substituting sugar with a sweetener offers no advantage in terms of weight loss or reduction of the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes. Moreover, sweeteners have controversial effects on the microbiota.
My prediction as a registered dietitian: this news will mark the end of the ketogenic (keto) diet trend. Since this diet limits the amount of carbohydrates that can be consumed, sugars are often replaced with sweeteners, including aspartame. With the newfound concern surrounding the most popular sweetener, consumers may turn to good old sugar and choose to give up this popular diet.
Do you want to limit your consumption of sweeteners and sugar to achieve weight loss or long-term health goals? I would be delighted to assist you in reaching your objectives through virtual consultations at the clinic!
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Jasmine Brousseau
Registered Dietitian
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Jasmine Brousseau
Registered Dietitian (Virtual)