What Everyone Should Know About Aspartame

Not all drinks are made equal. At SodaStream, we are all about great tasting syrups and mixes that are good for your health. Unlike this artificial sweetener that gets an A for being harmful, we’re talking about aspartame. So, what is aspartame anyway? Is it as bad as they say? Are sugar-free drinks truly free of sugar? Let’s find out as we unpack all of this in our guide below.

What is Aspartame?

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener and was discovered in 1965 by American chemist James Schlatter. Today, it is commonly used in diet drinks and drink mixes. If you’re wondering, “Does Coke Zero contain aspartame?” Yes, in Diet Coke and some Snapple products too. Not to mention in foods like breakfast cereals, confectionery, canned goods, and chewing gum as well.

In 1974, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved aspartame as a dry-based additive for foods. Since then, there have been over 6,000 products globally with aspartame included in their ingredients list.

Is Aspartame safe to consume?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct way to answer this question. There are multiple facets to consider. For instance, the World Health Organisation (WHO) cancer agency issued conclusions about aspartame on 14 July 2023 calling it as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” — a terrifying fact.

At the same time, another UN committee reaffirmed that there were safe doses of consumption. In fact, the WHO states that saccharin, sucralose, neotame, and aspartame are listed as safe for consumption. However, with these conflicting statements, it’s unclear if one should avoid it completely or indulge in it occasionally.

That being said, questions like “What are some aspartame alternatives?” or “Why is aspartame used in sugar-free drinks?” will help us understand better. It’s known to be very sweet, it has near-to-zero calories, and has no bitter aftertaste — that’s why. People like sweet things, but the sweeter they are, the more harm they cause.

The truth is, healthy drinks don't have to taste bland. We believe that wholeheartedly, which is why drink syrups from SodaStream contain natural flavours and carbonated water. Whether it’s fruity or fizzy, we’ve got you. Each 440ml makes up to 9 litres, so you’ll be reducing waste, sipping on guilt-free, and maintaining your health.

The Side Effects of Aspartame

In 2022, there was an observational study in France featuring 100,000 adults that showed people who consumed larger amounts of artificial sweeteners (aspartame included) had a slightly higher risk of cancer. In fact, the list goes on when it comes to aspartame side effects like migraines, development of dementia, diabetes, and more.

Products/Diet Drinks Containing Aspartame

Sugar-free drinks

Diet Coke

Coke Zero

Coke Zero Cherry

Coke Zero Vanilla

Oasis Summer fruits

Oasis Citrus Punch

Oasis Summer Fruits Zero

Fanta Grape Zero

Fanta Fruit Twist Zero

Dr Pepper Zero

Schweppes Lemonade

Schweppes Slimline Bitter Lemon Tonic

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar

Lipton Diet Green Tea Citrus

Lipton Diet Green Tea Mixed Berry

Gum, mints, sweets

5 Gum Spearmint Rain Sugarfree

5 Gum Winterwind Ascent Sugarfree Chewing Gum

5 Gum Sweet Mint Sugarfree Chewing Gum

Extra White Chewing Gum Sugarfree

Extra Watermelon Flavour Sugarfree Chewing Gum

Jolly Rancher Zero Sugar

Ice Breakers Pina Colada Sugar Free Breath Mints

Ice Breakers Cherry Lemonade

Ice Breakers Coolmint Sugar Free Breath Mints

Cough drops

Ricola Lemon Mint Sugar Free

Halls Minis Sugar Free Menthol

Halls Sugar Free Assorted Mint Bag

Halls Relief Mountain Menthol Sugar Free Cough Drops

Halls Defense Assorted Citrus Sugar Free Vitamin C Drops

What to Look For in Your Drinks (Aspartame Alternatives)

If aspartame is potentially cancer-causing, it makes sense to be picky about what you drink. Check out these aspartame alternatives for a healthier option:

Stevia

A popular natural sweetener that derives from the leaves of the South American plant shrub.

Allulose

Primary found in figs and other high-quality plant foods, allulose is a low-calorie sweetener that occurs naturally.

Monk Fruit

Suitable for low-carb dieters, monk fruit contains no calories and no effect on blood sugar and insulin levels.

Carcinogenic Ingredients to Avoid in Singapore

Over 90 countries have products containing aspartame, including France, Italy, Denmark, Britain, and Singapore, to name a few. However, it isn’t just certain food and drinks that contain carcinogenic ingredients. Things like woodust, outdoor air pollution, and x-ray radiation are some of the top carcinogenic substances.

So, to answer if aspartame is safe for consuming, there has been enough research to suggest a “yes”. However, from WHO’s findings and other credible sources, it has been advised to be taken in small quantities only.

Aspartame-Free Drinks at SodaStream Singapore

Now that you know aspartame drinks can be risky, it is all the more vital to choose your drinks wisely. Enjoy SodaStream’s drink syrups which contain natural flavours and carbonated water!

SodaStream’s sparkling water makers give you full control of your bubbles with no electric plugs or batteries required. For an extra bit of flavour, indulge in drink mixes paired with raspberry, ginger beer, orange mango, or pink grapefruit. Best of all, you could even try these refreshing recipes for a fizzy treat!