Does Diet Soda Cause Cancer?
Artificial Sweeteners
Saccharin
The first diet sodas were sweetened with saccharin (also sold as SweetNLow), which was widely believed to be safe, until studies in the early 1970s began suggesting it caused bladder cancers in laboratory animals when administered at high doses. A warning label allowed products containing saccharin to stay on the market. Further study exonerated it from toxicity lists in 2000.
Aspartame
While saccharin may still be used in fountain-style soft drink dispensers, diet sodas sold in retail outlets switched to aspartame, also sold as NutraSweet or Equal. Although this chemical had a difficult time getting passed by the FDA, it was finally approved in 1983 for use in carbonated beverages. Since then, many studies have been done about its safety. While some data are contradictory, and controversy still remains about the link between aspartame and brain cancer, leukemia and lymphoma, a 2006 study by the National Cancer Institute did not find a significant association between aspartame consumption and increased risk of these cancers in men or women.
However, a study done in 2007 at the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center in Bologna, Italy, suggested that even low doses of aspartame (typical of human daily intake), taken over a lifetime, increase the risk of developing breast cancer in women and lymphomas and leukemias in both sexes. The researchers, having performed the same experiment twice with equivalent results, believe their conclusions are valid, and urge further study, particularly on the effects of aspartame on children and developing fetuses. However, other reviewing organizations, including the FDA and National Cancer Institute, have ignored the Italian study.
Sucralose
The FDA gave this artificial sweetener, used in several brands of diet colas, the thumbs up after several studies showed no link to cancer. However, there is some controversy surrounding sucralose, sold commercially as Splenda. Chlorine, a known human carcinogen, is used in the production of sucralose. It’s not yet known if the chlorine in this process is safely metabolized. The lack of long-term studies does not satisfy some researchers that sucralose is non-carcinogenic.
Other Ingredients
In some studies, sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate, preservatives used in many soft drinks, have been linked to cancer as well as cell damage that could lead to degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
Conclusions
Does diet soda cause cancer? The jury is still out. Until researchers deliver more conclusive evidence, you may want to limit your diet soda intake or simply ditch it for plain or sparkling water.
References
National Cancer Institute, “Aspartame and Cancer” https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/aspartame
National Cancer Institute, “Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer” https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners
Environmental Health Perspectives, “Life-Span Exposure to Low Doses of Aspartame Beginning during Prenatal Life Increases Cancer Effects in Rats” https://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.10271
CNN.com, “Is Aspartame Safe?” https://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/18/is-aspartame-safe/
The Independent, “Caution: Some soft drinks may seriously harm your health” https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/caution-some-soft-drinks-may-seriously-harm-your-health-450593.html
Medicinenet.com, “Artificial Sweeteners” https://www.medicinenet.com/artificial_sweeteners/page9.htm
