Aspartame Cancer Risks Revisited: Prenatal Exposure May Be Greatest Concern
2007
Aspartame Cancer Risks Revisited
Sample size: 85
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Mead M. Nathaniel
Hypothesis
Does prenatal exposure to aspartame increase cancer risks?
Conclusion
Prenatal exposure to high levels of aspartame may significantly increase the risk of certain cancers in rats.
Supporting Evidence
- The first study showed a dose-related increase in malignant tumors in female rats.
- The new study found significant increases in lymphomas/leukemias and malignant mammary tumors at high aspartame levels.
- Epidemiologic studies have not found a direct link between aspartame and human cancers.
Takeaway
Giving rats a lot of aspartame while they are still babies in their mom's belly can make them more likely to get sick later.
Methodology
Rats were fed aspartame from the twelfth day of fetal life until natural death at varying concentrations.
Limitations
The study did not account for prenatal or perinatal exposures in earlier research.
Participant Demographics
Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website