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4.1.1 In laboratory studies:
4.1.2 In 1996, Olney published an article linking the consumption of aspartame and the occurrence of brain tumours in the United States, which has been criticized by a number of scientists. Subsequent studies did not find such a link. In France, the sale of aspartame did not increase the frequency of brain tumours. More...
In laboratory animal tests, no effects on reproduction and development was observed below 4.000 mg/kg body weight per day. At higher doses, some pups grew marginally slower and weighed slightly less than normal because they ate less. No other effects of aspartame and its breakdown products were observed on reproduction and development (including neurodevelopment). More...
Following the marketing of aspartame, some consumers complained of neurological or behavioural effects. These complaints received special consideration because some experiments in rats had shown that very high doses of aspartame (1000 mg/kg body weight per day) could alter the concentrations of some important substances (neurotransmitters) in the central nervous system. However, it appears that these effects on neurotransmitters are not consistent and could not be reproduced in later studies.
About 10% of aspartame breaks down into methanol, which is known to be toxic. However, toxic effects on vision and the central nervous system only occur at doses of methanol 100 times higher than could be produced from the amount of aspartame in one litre of "diet" soft drink. More...
Some years ago, it was suggested that aspartame could have effects on human behaviour and cognition. However, studies on laboratory animals showed no adverse effects on behaviour and cognition, even at very high doses (up to 2000 mg/kg body weight per day).
Also, studies in healthy adults and children and in people heterozygous for phenylketonuria (PKU) disease failed to show effects of aspartame on behaviour, mood or learning. But a study suggested that aspartame increased the frequency and severity of adverse effects in depressed individuals; this study must however be taken with caution as there were criticisms regarding the authors’ interpretation and because too few subjects were evaluated. More...
Headaches are one of the most commonly reported symptoms. Three studies on humans indicate a possible association between aspartame intake and headaches. However, it is not possible to draw conclusions. A more recent study in a controlled environment on individuals complaining of aspartame-related headaches concluded that aspartame was no more likely to trigger headaches than placebo. More...
Some websites report testimonies of people who identify aspartame as the cause of their health problems and epileptic seizures. A few studies have linked the consumption of large amounts of aspartame and the triggering of epileptic seizures. They suggest that aspartame could cause seizures by affecting the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain. Also, some animal studies indicate that aspartame reduces the threshold of sensitivity to chemically induced seizures.
Another study reported that aspartame could increase the duration of certain types of epileptic seizure in children. Effects of phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol on seizures have been reported, but under unusual conditions, such as high doses, particular sensitivities or rare types of seizures. This relationship has been refuted by a large number of scientists, who base their opinions on many animals and humans studies.
The Epilepsy Institute in the USA has also concluded that aspartame is not the cause of epileptic seizures. More...
Some individuals have attributed their allergic reactions to aspartame. However, two studies on such individuals indicated that their allergies were no more likely to be caused by aspartame than by placebo.
Other studies focusing on the effects of aspartame on hunger and food intake, reported that aspartame did not cause an increase in calorie consumption or body weight. More...
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