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Does Aspartame Cause Cancer?
January 29, 2025
In the world of sweeteners, it’s stirred up plenty of debate.
But does aspartame actually cause cancer? Diane Avino, RDN, a registered dietitian in oncology with Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, weighs in with the facts to help you understand the truth behind the headlines.
What is aspartame?
Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners.
“You probably know it as NutraSweet or Equal — or at least recognize those little blue packets,” says Avino.
You’ll commonly find it in:
- Drinks like soda and lemonade.
- Sugar-free foods like gelatin or syrup.
- Everyday items, including toothpaste and some medications.
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What’s the link between aspartame and cancer?
“This question has been around for decades,” says Avino. “But the current evidence doesn’t show a direct link between aspartame intake and the risk of developing cancer.”
So, what about the recent headlines?
“The WHO (World Health Organization) recently reclassified aspartame as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans,’ but this reflects limited evidence,” Avino explains. “It’s not convincing evidence of cancer risk in humans.”
Other agencies, including the FDA, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and Health Canada, disagree with the WHO. They say aspartame is safe at current levels of exposure.
“Aspartame is considered safe within the acceptable daily intake,” says Avino. “For a 132-pound person, the upper limit of safe consumption is about 75 sweetener packets or 9 to 14 cans of diet soda a day.”
> Related: Does Sugar Cause Cancer?
What kind of sugar is best?
Artificial sweeteners are for people who enjoy sweet foods and drinks, but want to avoid added sugars.
“For people with prediabetes or diabetes, artificial sweeteners are the preferred option,” says Avino. “Long-term elevated blood glucose can significantly impact the body and increase the risk of other medical conditions, including cancer.”
And if you’re concerned about aspartame?
“Cutting back or avoiding it is fine, but don’t swap it for regular sugar like table sugar, brown sugar, honey, agave or maple syrup,” says Avino. “Switching from artificial sweeteners to real sugar isn’t the solution — it can lead to other health concerns.”
> Related: Does Soy Raise My Risk of Cancer?
Embrace the natural sweetness of food.
It’s easy to grow used to overly sweet foods — especially since artificial sweeteners can be hundreds (or even thousands!) of times sweeter than table sugar.
But dialing back your sweet tooth is possible. Here are a few simple tips to get started:
- Gradually cut back on sweetened foods and drinks made with real sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Choose foods without additives.
- Swap sugary beverages for water, coffee or tea without added sweeteners.
“When you start eating foods in their natural form without all the processing, it’s a game changer,” says Avino. “This is always the healthiest and safest way to nourish yourself.”