Key takeaways
- Artificial sweeteners are a common ingredient in fizzy drinks, sweets and chewing gum
- They are often much sweeter than traditional sugar but have fewer or no calories, making them popular for ‘low sugar’ foods and drinks
- While foods containing artificial sweeteners might not be a healthy choice, there is no convincing evidence that they cause cancer
- Being a healthy weight can reduce the risk of getting cancer, however the World Health Organisation does not recommend the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control
Artificial sweeteners are often used instead of sugar in processed foods, as they are much sweeter and often have fewer or even no calories. You can find them in fizzy drinks (particularly diet or low sugar versions), sweets and desserts, as well as things like chewing gum and toothpaste. You might also use them at home to sweeten hot drinks and other foods. While you might have seen news stories linking artificial sweeteners with cancer, it’s important to understand the scientific evidence. In this article, Perci’s Lead Cancer Nurse Specialist Rachel Rawson shares information about artificial sweeteners and cancer we can trust, and dispels some common myths.
Eating or drinking artificial sweeteners causes cancer: myth.
There is no convincing evidence that eating or drinking artificial sweeteners causes cancer.
A carcinogen is something that has the potential to cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the sweeteners aspartame and saccharin as Group 2B carcinogens, which means they are ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’, but there isn’t enough evidence in humans to be sure. As a comparison, red meat is in the category above this (a 2A carcinogen or ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’).
The Government has set an ‘acceptable daily intake’ (ADI) for aspartame, which is 40mg/kg of body weight. So, someone who weighs 70kg could drink 14 cans of diet cola and still be within the safe limit.
Artificial sweeteners can help some people reduce their sugar intake: true
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best ways to reduce your cancer risk. Artificial sweeteners can help someone do this because they give foods a sweet taste with fewer calories. However, it’s not clear whether sugar substitutes can help people manage their weight long-term.
Over time, it’s most important to eat a healthy diet and get exercise. It would be more positive to gradually reduce sugar intake and therefore reduce reliance on both sugar and sweeteners, rather than substitute all high sugar foods to a sweetened alternative.
Foods containing artificial sweeteners are healthy: myth
Artificial sweeteners are often found in foods labelled ‘low sugar’ or ‘no sugar’. This does not mean these are healthy foods, and they are often highly processed. It’s better to focus on a healthy, balanced diet which has more fruits, vegetables and wholegrains, reducing the intake of red meat and avoiding processed meats, rather than eating and drinking foods which use artificial sweeteners.
Our Cancer Nurse Specialists are knowledgeable about cancer risk and can refer you to other Perci professionals, including our dietitians.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.
References:
‘Approved additives and E numbers’, Food Standards Agency, April 2024, https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/approved-additives-and-e-numbers
‘Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes,’ Mayo Clinic, January 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936
‘The truth about sweeteners,’ NHS, February 2023, https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/are-sweeteners-safe/
‘Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer?’, Cancer Research UK, July 2023, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-myths/do-artificial-sweeteners-cause-cancer?
‘Aspartame and cancer – sweet nothings?’, Cancer Research UK, July 2023, https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2023/07/14/aspartame-and-cancer-sweet-nothings
‘Aspartame – safe or carcinogenic?’, British Dietetic Association July 2023, https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/aspartame-safe-or-carcinogenic-should-dietitians-recommend-sweeteners.html