Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in diet drinks like Coke. This sweetener is 200 times sweeter compared to sugar. This sweetener is usually sold under brand names such as NutraSweet and Equal. Since the approval of aspartame in soda by the Food and Drug Administration, issues have arisen about this sweetener causing serious health risks such as cancer and premature birth. The artificial sweetener aspartame in soda has been at the eye of a storm about its safety and side effects.
Aspartame in soda is considered safe as a diet drink sweetener according to the European Food Safety Authority. A review by the agency confirms the safety of the sweetener aspartame in soda without any potential risk of cancer or damage to genes. The review ensures safety of aspartame in soda if consumed in prescribed levels in a diet drink. The safety concerns about aspartame in soda had led to a fall in the sales of diet drinks due to the presence of the artificial sweetener that was believed to cause side effects. Coca-Cola Co. faced this issue and had to launch an advertising campaign confirming the safety of their diet drink.
Aspartame in soda has been under controversy because of safety concerns and side effects that may result from its consumption. Critics opined that aspartame in soda may cause health problems like multiple sclerosis, memory loss, and blindness among others. Health risks associated with aspartame in soda had been examined through lengthy scientific researches. It was found that exceeding 16 cans of diet drink containing aspartame in soda on a daily basis could have safety issues. According to the European Food Safety Authority, a level lower than 16 cans per day of a diet drink with this sweetener is not problematic. The FDA has defined the acceptable daily intake of aspartame sweetener as 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight in adults.
Experts suggest that this sweetener does not have any safety issues. Most people who consume aspartame in soda have not faced any side effects associated with this sweetener. Moreover, there has not been any evidence of aspartame in soda causing any harm. However, research on this sweetener in the diet drink continues. People fond of diet drinks and still wish to avoid using aspartame as a sweetener due to possible side effects can check whether it features in the list of ingredients before purchasing their diet drink. For their part, the approving agencies and regulators have given aspartame in soda a clean sheet if consumed in reasonable amounts.
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