Sucralose, an artificial sweetener not linked to cancer
A new study has revealed that sucralose, a replacement for sugar that is free of calories does not cause cancer and is hence safe to take.
Being a calorie-free artificial sweetener it is used in a broad range of low-calorie foods including fizzy drinks and chewing gums.
‘This latest review of sucralose studies should reassure those who choose sucralose, and can be particularly useful to scientists and healthcare professionals, who may be asked for information on low calorie sweetener safety,’ said lead author of the study Colin Berry, Emeritus Professor of Pathology at University of London.
People usually take artificial sweetener has they have no calories and it helps them manage their weight.
However, there were concerns that sucralose, an artificial sweetener may be linked to cancer.
To allay this fear, the researchers conducted a review of studies assessing cancer causing potential of sucralose, and placed them in the context of the types of studies relied upon by national and international regulatory agencies to make recommendations on the safety of new food ingredients.
The study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer said that even when exposure levels were several orders of magnitude greater than the recommended acceptable daily intake, sucralose did not demonstrate carcinogenic activity .
‘Concerns are raised from time to time on what components of our lifestyle affect the rates of cancer,’ Berry said.
‘Smoking and sunlight are on all our lists and obesity is beginning to be recognised as a major factor. So low calorie sweeteners, which are important to many in managing their weight, need to be examined carefully in terms of lifetime use,’ Berry observed.
As for now, sucralose may be used without fear of its link with cancer!
