How safe are artificial sweeteners?
Aspartame, the artificial sweetener manufactured by Monsanto under the brand name NutraSweet, is a low-calorie sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Approved for use in the UK in 1983, the levels at which it may be used in food and drinks are controlled by the Sweetener in Food Regulations, 1995. However, artificial sweeteners have suffered adverse publicity. For example, studies on animals in the US have found that aspartame interferes with the production of serotonin in brain cells. Results indicate that a lack of serotonin can lead to depression and eating disorders. Furthermore, a 3-year study is under way at King’s College, London, to examine the potential link between aspartame and brain tumours. Whether one can draw conclusions from such research is still under debate. In the meantime, such negative media attention has had negative impact on the use sweeteners in some food sectors. Sugar-free Chewing Many of the sugar-free confectionery products available contain
