Latest news with #aspartame
Health Line
21-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Is Coke Zero Bad for You?
Coke Zero is calorie-free but has no nutritional value. While drinks with artificial sweeteners may have negative long-term effects, such as increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, more research is needed. Coke Zero, recently rebranded as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, is marketed as a healthier version of the original sugar-sweetened beverage, Coca-Cola Classic. It contains zero calories and sugar while providing the signature Coca-Cola flavor, appealing to those trying to reduce their sugar intake or control their weight. This article takes a detailed look at Coke Zero and explains whether it's a healthy choice. Zero nutritional value Coke Zero does not provide any calories and is not a significant source of nutrition. One 12-ounce (354-ml) can of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (Coke Zero) offers: Calories: 0 Fat: 0 grams Protein: 0 grams Sugar: 0 grams Sodium: 2% of the Daily Value (DV) Potassium: 2% of the DV Artificial sweeteners are used to sweeten this beverage without adding calories. The health effects of artificial sweeteners are controversial, and concerns regarding their safety are growing. Though the research is inconsistent, some studies find that the use of artificial sweeteners may contribute to the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase disease risk. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (Coke Zero) uses several common artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). The remaining ingredients are carbonated water, caramel color, food additives, and natural flavors. The only differences between Coke Zero and the new rebrand Coca-Cola Zero Sugar are minor changes to the natural flavor composition. Artificial sweeteners and weight loss Research results on the effects of Coke Zero and other artificially sweetened beverages on weight loss are mixed. In a 2023 52-week study of 493 adults, researchers found that compared to people who drank water, those who consumed beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners lost more weight over the study period, an average of 16.5 pounds (7.5 kilograms), compared to those who drank water, who lost an average of 13.4 pounds (6.1 kg). However, a similar 2023 study that lasted 12 weeks found no difference in weight loss among participants who drank water versus beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners. The researchers also examined other metrics, like waist circumference, but found no significant differences. The non-nutritive sweetener group lost slightly more to their waist circumference, but the difference was about 1 centimeter (cm). A 2023 review of research that looked at multiple studies suggests that non-nutritive sweeteners have no immediate effects on the metabolic or endocrine systems. The evidence on the effects of artificially sweetened beverages on weight management is conflicting, and more research is needed. Long-term research is also needed to determine if artificial sweeteners may influence the body in ways other than calorie intake. Diet sodas and tooth erosion Similarly to regular soda, drinking diet sodas like Coke Zero is associated with an increased risk of tooth erosion. One of the main ingredients in Coke Zero is phosphoric acid. One 2002 study on human teeth noted phosphoric acid causes mild enamel and tooth erosion. An older study from 2015 observed that Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke), which differs from Coke Zero only in that it contains both phosphoric and citric acid, caused enamel and tooth erosion in freshly extracted cow's teeth in just 3 minutes. Still, the same 2002 study suggests that citric acid erodes teeth more than phosphoric acid, which suggests that Coke Zero may affect tooth enamel slightly less than Diet Coke. Diet Coke had less erosive effects than other beverages, such as Sprite, orange juice, and apple juice. Coke Zero and diabetes risk Coke Zero is sugar-free. However, the sugar substitutes it contains may not necessarily be a better option for people looking to reduce their risk of diabetes. A large 2023 study involving 105,588 participants with a follow-up of 9.1 years suggests that consuming non-nutritive sweeteners is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A 2024 review of research suggests non-nutritive sweeteners may negatively affect the gut microbiome, or the helpful bacteria that live in your gut and aid digestion, potentially affecting metabolic health and contributing to diabetes risk and worse outcomes for people with diabetes. The results from these studies don't provide an exact explanation of how artificially sweetened beverages increase your risk of diabetes. Therefore, more research is needed. Other potential downsides Artificially sweetened beverages like Coke Zero have been linked to other health issues, including: Increased risk of heart disease: An observational study found a link between artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of heart disease among women with no prior history of heart disease. Increased risk of kidney disease: Soda's high phosphorus content may damage kidneys. A 2017 study noted that those who drink more than 7 glasses of diet soda per week nearly double their risk of kidney disease. Could alter your gut microbiome: Artificially sweetened beverages may alter your gut microbiome, potentially negatively affecting blood sugar management. Further research is needed to determine the exact effects of Coke Zero and other diet beverages on your health.
New York Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Robert Shapiro, Who Made NutraSweet a Household Name, Dies at 86
Robert B. Shapiro, a brash former law professor turned corporate executive who performed a marketing miracle by branding aspartame as the sugar substitute NutraSweet and making it a household name that consumers demanded in thousands of products, died on May 2 at his home in Chicago. He was 86. The cause was pancreatic cancer, his son James Shapiro said. Aspartame was invented by chemists at the pharmaceutical company G.D. Searle in Illinois in 1965 and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in soft drinks in 1983, a year after Mr. Shapiro became chief executive and chairman of what the company was already calling its NutraSweet subsidiary. Unlike its chief rival, saccharin, which had dominated the market in the 25 years since it was approved, aspartame leaves no bitter aftertaste and wasn't suspected of being linked to cancer. (In 2023, however, the World Health Organization identified aspartame, on the basis of 'limited evidence,' as 'possibly carcinogenic.') It has virtually no calories and, despite its brand name, virtually no essential nutritional value. In 1985, Searle sold $700 million worth of aspartame, identified as NutraSweet by the tiny but distinctive red-and-white swirl logo that appeared on the packaging of food and drink products that appealed to dieters and other consumers who wanted to avoid sugar. 'Shapiro built a marketing campaign around that trademark, convincing consumers that NutraSweet (and no other company's version of the very same sweetener) was the key to losing weight,' Daniel Charles wrote in 'Lords of the Harvest: Biotech, Big Money, and the Future of Food' (2001). Mr. Shapiro's role in branding and marketing NutraSweet, which costs more than saccharin but is sweeter, earned him a place in the 'business history books,' Jesse Meyers, the publisher of the industry newsletter Beverage Digest, told The New York Times in 1989. Products had been branded routinely, but rarely had a single ingredient that they contained. Federal authorities approved Simplesse, a fat substitute developed by NutraSweet, as an ingredient in frozen desserts in 1988 and, later, in other products. Searle was bought by Monsanto in 1985. Mr. Shapiro was named president of the parent company in 1993 and chief executive in 1995, as Monsanto transitioned from mostly manufacturing chemicals to making drugs and genetically modified seeds, fertilizer and food additives. Mr. Shapiro and his colleagues insisted that biotechnology products created by the company reduced the need for pesticides and weed control, expanded the food supply and reduced the amount of land needed to farm. When Mr. Shapiro became Monsanto's chief executive, 'he carried the company's already serious commitment to biotechnology to a whole new level, both psychologically and financially,' Rachel Schurman and William A. Munro wrote in 'Fighting for the Future of Food: Activists Versus Agribusiness in the Struggle Over Biotechnology' (2010). 'Shapiro was by all accounts a persuasive, inspiring and motivational leader,' the authors added. 'Indeed, Monsanto employees described him as a 'visionary' who swept people up with his larger sense of purpose and broad perspective on the technology.' But environmental critics accused Monsanto of tampering with nature by concocting potentially dangerous vegetation and monopolizing the market for seeds. The company soon found itself struggling in the face of legal challenges, regulatory rulings and adverse public opinion in the United States and Europe. 'In retrospect, it seems incredibly naïve,' Mr. Shapiro said, but 'we painted a big bull's-eye on our chest.' In a video address to the environmental advocacy group Greenpeace in 1999, Mr. Shapiro acknowledged: 'Our confidence in this technology and our enthusiasm for it has, I think, widely been seen, and understandably so, as condescension or indeed arrogance. Because we thought it was our job to persuade, too often we forgot to listen.' William C. Miller acknowledged in his book 'Flash of Brilliance: Inspiring Creativity Where You Work' (1998) that 'some of Monsanto's products are controversial.' But, he added, 'What you can't argue about Bob Shapiro is that within his belief system, he's absolutely sincere about doing what he thinks is the way to go to address hunger and address nutrition, as the world population explodes from six billion to 10 billion.' Robert Bernard Shapiro was born on Aug. 4, 1938, in Manhattan. His father, Moses Shapiro, was the chairman and chief executive of the electronics company General Instrument. His mother, Lilly (Langsam) Shapiro, had worked for ASCAP, the music licensing organization. He attended the Horace Mann School in the Bronx before earning a bachelor's degree in 1959 from Harvard College, where he studied English and history, and a law degree in 1962 from Columbia Law School. Mr. Shapiro practiced law in New York (he represented rent strikers in East Harlem and the poet Allen Ginsberg, among others, without fee) and taught at the law schools of Columbia, the University of Wisconsin and Northeastern University. He was a lawyer for the U.S. Transportation Department during the Johnson administration before joining General Instrument, where he worked from 1972 to 1979 as vice president and counsel. He joined Searle in 1979. After Monsanto merged with Pharmacia & Upjohn in 1999, he served as chairman of the combined company, Pharmacia Corporation, until early 2001. A liberal Democrat who had no formal training in science, Mr. Shapiro was more comfortable playing the casual college professor than the high-powered lawyer. He offered his employees free silent meditation retreats and performed as a folk guitarist. (His children Nina and James were in the alternative rock band Veruca Salt in the 1990s.) After stepping down as chairman of Pharmacia Corporation, he was a founder of Sandbox Industries, a venture capital firm. He was also an early board member of Theranos, the blood-testing company established by Elizabeth Holmes, who was later convicted of fraud. In addition to his son James and his daughter Nina Gordon, both from his marriage to Berta Gordon, he is survived by his wife, Ginger Farley; two children, Kai and Gabe Shapiro, from his later marriage to Kemery Bloom; his stepchildren, Harley Mac Cionaodha and Lydia Link; his sister, Susan Garfield; his brother, Bill Shapiro; and four grandchildren. 'We did proceed on the basis of our confidence in the technology,' Mr. Shapiro said of Monsanto in an interview with The Wall Street Journal in 1999. 'And we saw our products as great boons both to farmers and to the environment. I guess we naïvely thought that the rest of the world would look at the information and come to the same conclusion.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert's urgent warning over sweetener in thousands of food linked to BRAIN DAMAGE
Sugar — sweet, satisfying, and everywhere. From fresh fruit and honey to processed table sugar and drinks, it sneaks into nearly everything we eat. While delicious, sugar delivers what nutritionists call 'empty calories' — energy without any essential nutrients — and with overconsumption linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dental problems, it's no wonder health authorities are urging us to cut back. The American Heart Association recommends no more than six teaspoons (25g) of sugar per day for women and nine teaspoons (38g) of sugar per day for men. To cut back on sugar, people often turn to sugar alternatives that deliver the same sweetness without the calories, including aspartame, sucralose, stevia and monk fruit extract. These alternatives are found in many diet drinks, sugar-free snacks and low-calorie foods to give the products the familiar sugary taste as their original version. But while they may be low-calorie or calorie-free, consuming large servings of sugar alternatives - especially aspartame - could carry serious health risks. Studies have shown aspartame may be linked to behavioral changes, including decreased impulse control, lack of patience, decline in neuromuscular function and cognitive decline. However, experts caution that the science on aspartame has been mixed and more research is needed. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that was discovered in 1965 and is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It was first regulated by the FDA in 1974 and approved for use in dry foods in 1981. Today, it's estimated to be found in over 6,000 food and drink products and 600 pharmaceutical items. Aspartame was initially embraced as a tool to help reduce obesity and support diabetics, offering a sweet fix without the sugar spike. But despite decades of use, its safety is still the subject of intense scientific and public debate. Potential benefits Aspartame has a similar taste to sugar, albeit much more intense, but comes with almost no calories, making it attractive for those who are weight-conscious. With obesity rates soaring globally, even small calorie savings can matter. Aspartame does not raise blood glucose levels, making it a preferred choice for those managing type 2 diabetes. However, other research has found potential associations with metabolic syndrome and diabetes risk, suggesting aspartame should be used as part of a controlled diet rather than a straight swap for sugar. While assessments suggest that aspartame is safe within current intake guidelines, concerns persist. Potential risks Some people may experience side effects from the sugar alternative like headaches, dizziness, or mood changes. There's emerging evidence linking aspartame to neurodegeneration, strokes and even dementia. Aspartame can increase levels of phenylalanine - an amino acid in the body - and aspartic acid in the brain, which is a serious concern for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited disorder where the body cannot break down phenylalanine. This causes it to accumulate in the blood and brain, potentially leading to brain damage. People with PKU must avoid aspartame completely. One study reported symptoms after consuming aspartame including irritability, migraines, anxiety and insomnia, especially with excessive consumption. In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame) as 'possibly carcinogenic,' though it remains approved for consumption within existing safety limits. Some studies suggest a link to cancer, but conclusions remain mixed. The FDA has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of aspartame as 50 milligrams 1 kilogram of body weight. A person weighing 130lbs would have to consume about 75 packets of aspartame per day to reach the upper limit of the ADI. It's also advised that pregnant women avoid aspartame, as research suggests it may affect the placenta's structure and function. Artificial sweeteners, despite being calorie-free, may trick the brain into craving more sweetness. This could lead to increased appetite and weight gain rather than weight loss. In fact, several studies have found a positive correlation between artificial sweetener use and obesity. Gut health matters Emerging evidence suggests aspartame and other sweeteners may disrupt the gut microbiome - the collection of healthy bacteria in the body that play a key role in digestion, immunity and even mood. This disruption can negatively affect digestive health and immune function, potentially increasing the risk of infections and other health issues. And experts are increasingly making a connection between the gut microbiome and colon cancer, saying an unbalanced microbiome may increase the risk of the disease. Aspartame may offer a tempting sugar-free fix, but it's not without its risks. The World Health Organization advises against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control and research continues to reveal complex links between aspartame and chronic diseases, from neurological issues to gut health concerns. This article is adapted from The Conversation, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge of experts. It was written by Hazel Flight, the program lead of Health and Nutrition at Edge Hill University.
