Carbonated beverage consumption has declined over the past 20 years as consumers have switched to drinking more water or choosing lower-sugar beverages. However, diet sodas have been a major part of this category in recent years.

Results for sugar-free versions of their namesake sodas, such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo's, are paying off for both companies. These popular diet sodas, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Zero Sugar, and Diet Mountain Dew, all contain Aspartame. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has confirmed a link between Aspartame and a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. WHO officials said more research into the potential connection is needed.

Additionally, Dr. Francesco Branca, head of the WHO's Division of Nutrition and Food Safety, said manufacturers that use Aspartame in food and beverages should consider making products without the sweetener.
However, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives said the evidence supporting a link between Aspartame and human cancer is not convincing. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states, "Aspartame is one of the most studied food additives in the human food supply, and FDA scientists have stated that Aspartame poses no safety concerns when used under approved conditions.

A separate international group of scientists called the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives has provided recommendations on how much product people can safely consume. JECFA states that Aspartame is safe to consume if daily consumption of the sweetener does not exceed 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight over an individual's lifetime. The FDA's recommended daily limit is slightly higher at 50 mg of Aspartame per kilogram of body weight. And Dr. Francesco Branca, head of the WHO's Division of Nutrition and Food Safety, said adults weighing 70 kg or 154 pounds should drink more than 9 to 14 cans of aspartame-containing sodas, such as Diet Coke, daily to exceed the limit and potentially face health risks. Although Aspartame is classified as a probable carcinogen, it is still based on limited evidence and is said to be safe when consumed within daily limits.

What do you guys think about this controversy? Even if it's safe within daily limits, it might be a good idea to start making it a habit to have water instead of soda on your table from now on.

Reference:
Reference:https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/14/fda-says-aspartame-is-safe-disagrees-with-who-on-possible-cancer-link.html/ 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/13/who-aspartamea-decision-could-hurt-diet-soda--sales.html (cnbc)

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