ATLANTA (August 24, 2009) – A new study conducted by Italian researchers and published in the August 2009 issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention reports that there is no relationship between low-calorie sweeteners and cancers of the stomach, pancreas or endometrium. Over 3000 patients ages 22 to 80 were examined over a 13 year period. The researchers concluded, “The results of the present study indicate that the consumption of sweeteners is not associated to the risk of cancer of the stomach, pancreas, and endometrium.”
Further the researchers stated, “In conclusion, the present study adds further evidence on the absence of an association between low-calorie sweetener (including aspartame) consumption and the risk of common neoplasms in the Italian population.” This study builds upon the findings from a 2007 Italian study published in the Annals of Oncology which found no relationship between low-calorie sweeteners and oral and pharynx, esophagus, colon, rectum, larynx, breast, ovary, prostate and renal cell carcinomas.
“This study confirms what we have known for years – low-calorie sweeteners are safe, beneficial and in no way related to cancer,” noted Lyn Nabors, president of the Calorie Control Council. “While it is well established that being overweight increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, low-calorie sweeteners and the products that contain them have been shown to be helpful in weight loss and control,” added Nabors.
According to the American Cancer Society low-calorie sweeteners do not cause cancer. A 2006 epidemiology study from the National Cancer Institute demonstrates that there is no link between low-calorie sweeteners, such as aspartame, and leukemias, lymphomas and brain tumors. The study evaluated over 500,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 69 over a five-year period. The researchers found that there was no evidence of an increased risk of leukemias, lymphomas and brain tumors among those who use aspartame.
Low-calorie sweeteners are some of the most thoroughly studied food ingredients in the food supply. The safety of low-calorie sweeteners has been reaffirmed time and time again by leading health and regulatory groups worldwide.
For the Cancer Epidemiology abstract, click here.
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
