Low-Calorie Sugar: News That Aspartame May Cause Cancer Is Alarming; How To Avoid It – News18

Staying healthy and making informed choices about the products we consume has become paramount. One controversial yet widely used artificial sweetener that has raised debates is aspartame. This low-calorie sugar substitute is found in various food and beverage items, making it essential for consumers to be aware of its presence in their daily diet. The controversial artificial sweetener aspartame, commonly used in diet colas and other products, is most likely to be declared a ‘possible carcinogen’ by the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency – International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), according to reports.

Let’s explore the list of products that contain aspartame, enabling you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle choices.

What is Aspartame?

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products.

List of Food Items Containing Aspartame-

1. Sugar-Free Beverages
   Aspartame is commonly used in sugar-free or diet beverages to provide a sweet taste without the added calories of sugar. Many soft drinks, powdered drink mixes, and flavoured water brands utilise aspartame as their primary sweetening agent. Always check the label for ‘sugar-free,’ ‘zero sugar’ or ‘diet’ to identify its presence.
2. Low-Calorie Snacks
   Numerous low-calorie or sugar-free snacks contain aspartame to cater to health-conscious consumers. These may include sugar-free gum, candies, mints, and even some protein bars. Be sure to read the product’s nutritional information to ascertain the use of aspartame.
3. Ice-Creams & Pudding
   Aspartame is a common ingredient in various light or reduced-calorie dairy products, such as sugar-free yogurts, reduced-fat ice creams, and sugar-free pudding. If you’re opting for these alternatives, be aware of their sweetening agent.
4. Sugar-Free Desserts
   In an effort to cater to health-conscious consumers, some bakeries and food manufacturers use aspartame in sugar-free or reduced-sugar baked goods like cookies, cakes, and muffins.
5. Cereals
   Certain low-calorie or sugar-free cereals may use aspartame as a sweetener.
6. Low-Calorie Coffee Sweeteners
   Aspartame can be found in some coffee sweeteners marketed as low-calorie or sugar-free.

Being aware of its presence in the products we consume empowers us to make informed decisions about our lifestyle and dietary choices. Always read product labels and stay informed about the ingredients to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.