A doctor has spoken out to highlight how drinking the controversial artificial sweetener aspartame can give people migraines. The artificial sweetener commonly used in thousands of products including diet fizzy drinks like Diet Coke, ice cream and chewing gum is to be listed as posing a possible cancer risk to humans.
It is used to reduce sugar and therefore stop people gaining weight, but last month it was revealed that it will be listed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” from next month based on the findings of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
This would mean that there is some evidence linking aspartame to cancer, but that it is limited. Now Dr Neel Patel has revealed that the additive, which replaces sugar in around 6,000 diet foods and drinks, can cause people serious migraine headaches.
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor GP Dr Patel said: ““It is thought there may be a link between eating and drinking food and beverages that contain aspartame and migraines. In a survey of 500 UK adults LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor conducted in March, almost one in ten said consuming products that contained artificial sweeteners like aspartame triggered migraines.”
Explaining what the additive is, Dr Patel said: “Aspartame is an artificial flavouring which is more than 200 times sweeter than sugar. Popular in weight loss foods, it offers the sweet taste we crave, with fewer calories. On food labels, you may see aspartame referred to via its brand names - including Nutrasweet, Equal, and Sugar Twin.
“Aspartame is found in thousands of diet or low-calorie foods and drinks. For example, diet cola, hot chocolate powder, dessert syrups, cereal bars and salad dressings.”
He said that the reason it can cause migraines is that it brings down levels of a chemical which is released in the brain. He said that it causes migraines because: “It is understood this may be because aspartame reduces dopamine levels. We know medications that increase dopamine levels in the brain have proven effective in reducing migraine symptoms. Therefore, as aspartame inhibits this hormone, this may explain the link.”
Dr Patel warned: “If you suffer from migraines, it might be worth considering avoiding, or at least limiting the number of foods and drinks you consume that contain aspartame.
“A helpful rule of thumb is to stick to food and drinks with minimal artificial ingredients. If you struggle to pronounce the name of an ingredient and it is not something you would find in a kitchen cupboard, there is a good chance it is an artificial additive.
“It is also a good idea to keep a food and activity journal. This can help to reveal any links between your diet and your migraines. Just record what you eat, and any migraine symptoms.
“If your migraines are particularly severe, frequent, or are getting worse, book an appointment with a doctor. They may prescribe migraine relief medication to prevent migraines and treat symptoms, helping you to get on with daily life.”
Coca Cola has said on its website that it is 'fiction' that Drinks with aspartame low-calorie sweeteners are unsafe. It said: "Fiction. Sweeteners such as aspartame are tightly regulated and can only be used once their safety has been rigorously assessed.
"With over 200 studies to support its safety, aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested ingredients in the world. Its safety has been validated time and time again, including by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2013."
