Is Aspartame In Gum Bad For You?

Gum is a popular chewable candy loved by many. One of the ingredients found in most chewing gums is aspartame, an artificial sweetener. Aspartame is a widely-used ingredient in many products, including sodas, diet drinks, and foodstuffs. There have been several concerns about the safety of aspartame in gum, with many people wondering if the ingredient is bad for their health. In this blog post, we'll explore the topic and provide you with detailed information about aspartame in gum.

To answer this question, we first need to understand what aspartame is. Aspartame was discovered by American chemist James Schlatter in 1965 and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1974. Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that is used in many sugar-free and low-sugar products, including chewing gum. It’s made up of a few amino acids and is commonly used as a sugar substitute because it’s much sweeter than sugar. One of the main benefits of aspartame is that it doesn’t contribute to tooth decay like sugar does. However, there have been concerns over it being linked to certain health problems.

The controversy surrounding aspartame has been ongoing for many years. On July 14, 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced in Geneva that aspartame is a probable carcinogen. The World Health Organization also said the determination was based on limited evidence and that more research was needed.

The public concern is, if aspartame is a carcinogen, can it still be consumed? According to the World Health Organization's stance, consumers should choose products that are free of sugar and sweeteners. However, there is some flexibility on whether to consume it or not.

Dosage is another important basis for whether a carcinogen is carcinogenic or not. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have given recommendations for a safe dose of aspartame, known as the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), which is 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight for the FDA and 40 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight for the EFSA.

Now, the maximum amount of aspartame in an internationally available 500 ml bottle of diet cola is 0.3 grams. Using this calculation, a person weighing 60 kg would have to drink 10 bottles of sugar-free cola a day to reach the FDA limit and 8 bottles a day to reach the EFSA limit. Obviously, in real life, this is less likely to be the case.

So, is aspartame in gum bad for you? For most people, the answer is no. The amount of aspartame in gum is so small that it's unlikely to have any negative health effects, even for those who chew gum on a regular basis. That being said, if you're particularly sensitive to aspartame or have experienced negative effects after consuming it in the past, you may want to consider switching to a gum brand that doesn't contain artificial sweeteners. There are plenty of gum brands on the market that are sweetened with natural ingredients like xylitol or stevia, which may be a better choice for those who want to avoid aspartame.

So, How Much Aspartame is in a Piece of Chewing Gum?

Aspartame is approved by CAC to be used in chewing gum and candies, and the maximum use level is 0.3~10.0g/kg.

Taking 10 grams of chewing gum as an example, the proportion of aspartame is about 0.01% (the exact proportion depends on the brand), and according to the proportion of the content, the content of aspartame in 10 grams of chewing gum can be calculated to be about 0.1 grams. Therefore, according to the dosage standard, it is safe to chew gum with aspartame.

Does Aspartame In Gum Cause Cancer?

It does not cause cancer. For chewing gum, aspartame is a sugar substitute and is a permitted food additive that can be added within the limits.

Despite the safety of aspartame, many people still prefer to avoid it. If you’re one of those people, there are plenty of gum options available that are aspartame-free.

Possible Side Effects of Aspartame in Chewing Gums

1. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Aspartame is a sweetener, if consumed in large quantities over a long period of time, it may irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms.

2. Allergy

If you belong to the allergic body and are allergic to aspartame, it may cause an allergic reaction after consumption, with allergic reactions such as itchy skin, redness and swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

3. Damage to The Nervous System

If consumed in large quantities over a long period of time, it may lead to elevated blood sugar in the body, thus damaging the nervous system and causing dizziness, headache, drowsiness and other symptoms.

4. Low Immunity

If the elevation of phenylalanine is triggered by excessive intake of aspartame, it may affect the stability of amino acid levels in the body, and it is easier for the body to develop low immunity.

5. Brain Damage in Patients with Phenylketonuria

Aspartame can be metabolized by the body, and after metabolism, aspartame is broken down into three substances, namely methanol, which is more toxic, and phenylalanine and aspartic acid, which are less toxic. If you have phenylketonuria, the body's ability to metabolize phenylalanine will be affected, and the metabolism of phenylalanine will be impaired, which may lead to excessive accumulation of phenylalanine in the patient's body. Phenylalanine is toxic to the central nervous system, so it may cause brain health to be affected

Below I've given you a few of the best aspartame-free chewing gum brands, so read on!

1. PUR Chewing Gum

PUR Chewing Gum is an all-natural brand of gum that does not contain any synthetic sweeteners, including aspartame. Their gum uses xylitol as a sweetener and is free of other chemicals such as artificial colors and flavors, gluten and nut allergens.

2. Suifa Chewing Gum

Suifa chewing gum is a Chinese-based brand that uses only natural ingredients in their gum products. Their gum is free from aspartame and other synthetic sweeteners and is instead sweetened with xylitol and stevia. Suifa chewing gum is also free from artificial colors and flavors and comes in a variety of refreshing flavors.

3. Simply Gum

Simply Gum prides itself on just six ingredients in their gum: organic raw cane sugar, organic vegetable glycerin, organic sunflower lecithin, organic rice flour, and natural flavor. Their flavors range from mint, cinnamon, and coffee to fruity ones like ginger and fennel. The company also uses biodegradable components for their packaging, such as chicle, a sustainably harvested tree sap, for the gum base. Simply Gum is perfect for those who want to keep things simple and all-natural.

4. Glee Gum

Glee Gum uses a blend of natural sweeteners like cane sugar, brown rice syrup, and beet juice for a subtle and pleasant sweetness. Their flavors range from classic peppermint and spearmint to more adventurous ones like tangerine and bubblegum. Glee Gum is also free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

5. Epic Dental Gum

Another all-natural gum brand that is aspartame-free is Epic Dental Gum. This gum is sweetened with xylitol and contains no artificial colors or flavors. Additionally, Epic Dental Gum is non-GMO and gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although aspartame is a controversial ingredient, it is unlikely to have any negative health effects as the amount in chewing gum is usually very small, but some people may be sensitive to it and experience side effects. Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not to consume gum containing aspartame. If you're concerned about artificial sweeteners in your diet, look for brands of gum that use natural sweeteners or are aspartame-free, or simply limit your overall consumption of gum. As with any food or ingredient, moderation is key.