Aspartame In Pregnancy: What You Need To Know

Understandably, the recent research conducted on aspartame and its potential link to cancer has stirred up a flurry of concerns and discussions among health professionals and the general public, and if you’re currently pregnant, you’re probably wondering what this new research means for you.

As an expectant mother, you want to make sure you are taking care of yourself and your baby in every way possible. That's why it's important to know about the ingredients in the foods and beverages you consume. We’re taking a deep dive into the latest research on aspartame, and asking the question: is it safe to consume aspartame during pregnancy?

What is Aspartame?

Let’s start with the basics, what is aspartame? Aspartame is an artificial sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute in various foods and beverages, perhaps best known for being the sweetener used in Diet Coke.

Common sources of the artificial sweetener Aspartame

Aspartame can be found in various food and drink products. It is commonly used as a sweetening agent in:

1. Diet sodas, sugar-free gum, and certain desserts

2. Some processed foods like yogurt, snacks, and condiments

3. Some medications and supplements

While aspartame is considered safe for consumption, moderation is key, especially for pregnant women (more on the recommended daily allowances below!).

The new research on Aspartame, published in 2023

In 2023, two prominent committees, IARC and JECFA, published their respective studies on aspartame. The findings from these studies have presented conflicting conclusions, so here's a quick summary of what's been said so far:

The first study, conducted by IARC found that aspartame was “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, more research is needed the IARC has clarified that it was "classifying aspartame as possibly carcinogenic, meaning there is some evidence that it may cause cancer in humans, but that the evidence is far from conclusive”. The FDA rejected IARC’s conclusion, stating that "Aspartame is one of the most studied food additives in the human food supply. FDA scientists do not have safety concerns when aspartame is used under the approved conditions”.

The second study, conducted by JECFA found that there was no need to change the recommended daily limit of aspartame and that it is safe for a person to consume within that limit. JECFA concluded that the current acceptable daily intake of aspartame poses no significant risk to human health, including pregnant women.

However, it is important to note that both IARC and JECFA agree on one crucial point - further research is needed. The WHO has also clarified that “the evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is not convincing" and calls for more long-term research.

What is the current daily recommended limit for consuming aspartame?

The FDA has set the daily recommended allowance for aspartame at 50mg per kilogram of body weight. Both JECFA and the EFSA recommend a slightly lower ADI for aspartame, at 40 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The new research has not changed these recommended allowances.

To put this into perspective, a can of diet soft drink typically contains 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, so an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources.

Is Aspartame safe during pregnancy?

A 2014 study, concluded that aspartame was safe to consume during pregnancy as long as consumed within the recommended daily limit. Official guidelines and recommendations from health organizations typically agree that consuming aspartame in moderation is generally safe for pregnant women.

However, it is important for pregnant women with the rare genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) to avoid aspartame due to its high levels of phenylalanine and PKU affects the body's ability to break down phenylalanine. Around 1 in 10,000 people born in the UK have PKU.

Are other artificial sweeteners safe during pregnancy?

Most other artificial sweeteners have also been found to be safe for pregnancy in moderation, except for saccharin (Sweet N Low) because it crosses the placenta so it’s unclear how this affects the growing baby. Find out more on Healthline.

Is Aspartame a concern during pregnancy?

Although aspartame in moderation is generally considered safe for pregnant women, it sometimes sparks concerns due to its phenylalanine content. Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in aspartame, and high levels of it can potentially harm the developing fetus, although research is inconclusive.

Diet Coke, aspartame, and pregnancy

So, is it safe to consume Diet Coke, which contains aspartame, while pregnant?

How much Aspartame is in Diet Coke?

Diet Coke contains approximately 180 mg of aspartame in a 12-ounce can. As we mentioned earlier if a diet soda contains around 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources.

So although Diet Coke should be safe to consume in moderation, it is generally recommended to limit or avoid the consumption of Diet Coke and other artificially sweetened beverages. Instead, choose healthier alternatives like water, natural fruit juices, or smoothies.

The Takeaway

It's important to be informed about the potential risks and effects of consuming aspartame during pregnancy. While the World Health Organization's research suggests that moderate consumption of aspartame is safe, it is still recommended to limit your intake or avoid it altogether.

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