AUGUST 2009

Areview of the scientific evidence by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has “busted” a trio of myths about aspartame. According to the ADA’s Evidence Analysis Library, it’s not true that the artificial sweetener causes a “rebound” effect, making you more hungry: “There is good evidence that aspartame does not affect appetite or food intake.” The evidence review also discounted the myth that aspartame somehow makes people gain weight, despite its lack of calories; using aspartame in the context of a low-calorie diet does not adversely affect weight, the experts concluded, and may be associated with increased weight loss. Finally, the ADA debunked various Internet myths about purported ill effects on health from the sweetener, concluding: “Aspar tame consumption is not associated with adverse effects in the general population.” The study was co-funded by Ajino moto, an aspartame manufacturer, but managed and directed entirely by the ADA.