The Stronger By Science Podcast Aspartame: The Surprisingly Interesting Science and History
Aspartame’s story winds through early sweetener controversies, a rocky approval process, conspiracy theories, and years of sensational media coverage. The discussion unpacks the WHO’s “possibly carcinogenic” label, the research behind it, and why hazard classifications can be mistaken for personal risk. A lively tour of health warnings, scientific uncertainty, and the challenge of staying informed without fearing every bite.
05:43:57
Evaluating Cancer Risk Studies
- Be wary of single observational studies on cancer risk, as estimates can vary significantly.
- Greg recommends considering the study's methodology and looking for dose-response relationships.
Ramizini Media Strategy
- Lyndsey discusses the Ramizini group's media strategy, which involved press conferences before data submission.
- This created public attention while limiting scientific scrutiny, similar to "science by preprint."
Journalists and Science
- Greg notes that journalists often struggle to differentiate between good and bad science, particularly with preprints.
- This can lead to the rapid dissemination of misinformation, especially on complex topics.
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Introduction
00:00 • 3min
The Importance of Variety in Your Diet
02:41 • 3min
How to Get the Most Out of Your Micronutrients
05:58 • 5min
What Is Aspartame?
10:50 • 4min
The History of Artificial Sweeteners
14:53 • 3min
The Common Process of Refining Coke
17:42 • 3min
The Benefits of Collagen Supplements
20:45 • 4min
The History of Aspirin
25:03 • 4min
The History of Saccharin
29:24 • 5min
Saccharin: The First Artificial Sweetener
33:59 • 4min
The Truth About Sawdust in Parmesan Cheese
37:42 • 3min
The Modern Definition of Adulteration
40:36 • 4min
The History of Lab Safety
44:44 • 3min
The History of Cyclamate
47:14 • 4min
The History of Artificial Sweeteners
51:25 • 2min
Saccharin and Cyclomate Cause Bladder Cancer
53:22 • 4min
The History of Artificial Sweeteners
57:29 • 3min
The Skepticism of Aspartame
01:00:00 • 3min
The History of Aspartame
01:02:55 • 3min
The FDA's Grand Jury Investigation Into Aspartame
01:05:29 • 2min
Aspartame and Brain Tumors
01:07:07 • 2min
The Cyril Sponsored Review on Aspartame
01:09:20 • 2min
Aspartame and the Scientific Record
01:10:50 • 2min
DuPont and Dow Chemical: Rod and Hell
01:12:37 • 2min
The Asperton Controversy
01:14:15 • 3min
The Conspiratorial Case for the Approval Process of Asperton
01:17:42 • 3min
The Cost of Safety in the Age of Grand Jury Research
01:20:35 • 2min
Betty Martini's Aspartame Truth
01:22:48 • 2min
Aspartame Kills: A Hoax Email
01:24:23 • 2min
The FDA's Response to the Aspartame Claims
01:25:58 • 2min
The Evolution of Chain Email
01:28:06 • 3min
The History of Aspartame Press Coverage
01:31:08 • 2min
The Controversy Surrounding Aspartame in the Media
01:33:34 • 3min
The History of Aspartame
01:36:05 • 2min
The Aspartame Hoax
01:38:32 • 6min
What Has Changed?
01:44:31 • 3min
The Rise of Aspartame Safety in the New York Times
01:47:14 • 2min
The History of Skepticism About Aspartame
01:49:05 • 5min
The Criticisms of the Ramzini Studies
01:54:30 • 6min
The Consequences of Rodent Research
02:00:18 • 5min
The Media Response to the Ramizini Studies
02:05:15 • 2min
The Ramizini Study on Rodents
02:07:03 • 2min
The COVID Era and the Politics of Science
02:09:20 • 6min
The Media Response to the Ramazini Study
02:14:53 • 6min
The Importance of a Trustworthy Source for Article Citation
02:20:38 • 2min
The Pros and Cons of Aspartame Studies
02:22:28 • 3min
Aspartame: A New Classification by the World Health Organization
02:25:48 • 6min
The New York Times' Article on Aspartame and Weight Control
02:31:32 • 2min
Pepsi's Removing Aspartame From Sodas
02:33:03 • 2min
The Evidence Supports Artificial Sweeteners Over Sugar
02:35:17 • 2min
The Effects of Vitrioles on Public Discourse
02:37:17 • 6min
The Death by Diet Soda Question
02:43:04 • 3min
The Naturalistic Fallacy of Diet Coke
02:46:26 • 4min
The New York Times Report on Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
02:50:13 • 2min
The Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Weight and BMI and Obesity
02:52:04 • 5min
The New Tranette Saunte Study
02:56:55 • 2min
The Effects of Aspartame on Cancer
02:59:06 • 5min
The Effects of Smoking on Lung Cancer Risk
03:04:33 • 5min
The Role of Foods in Cancer Risk
03:09:18 • 4min
The Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Cancer Risk
03:13:40 • 2min
The Dose Response Relationship Between Aspartame and Cancer
03:15:27 • 2min
The Case for Aspartame as a Possible Carcinogen
03:17:29 • 3min
The Effects of Methylethanol on the Human Diet
03:20:00 • 4min
The Limits of Aspartame Consumption
03:24:18 • 3min
The Effects of Aspartame on the Body
03:27:45 • 5min
The Risk of Getting Run Over by a Truck
03:32:24 • 4min
The Difference Between Group One and Group Two Emeritus
03:36:26 • 5min
The Dumping Ground for Carcinogenicity
03:41:18 • 2min
The Different Types of Carcinogens
03:43:27 • 6min
The Dangers of Being Around Wood Dust
03:49:27 • 5min
The Lancet Oncology Decision to Classify Carcinogens
03:54:37 • 2min
The Limits of Evidence for Cancer in Humans
03:56:20 • 4min
The Risk of Hepatosellular Carcinoma
04:00:39 • 3min
The Effects of Sugar Sweetened Beverages on Cancer Rates
04:04:02 • 3min
The Residual Confounder of Artificially Sweetened Beverage Consumption
04:07:21 • 4min
The Role of Residual Confounding in Cancer Risk
04:11:18 • 5min
The Role of Gene Expression in Cancer
04:16:17 • 2min
The Limits of Evidence for Aspartame
04:18:45 • 4min
The Media Coverage of Aspartame
04:23:06 • 4min
Aspartame Is Only the Latest Battleground for Multinational Companies to Push Back Against New Studies
04:27:29 • 2min
The Importance of Sample Size in Epidemiology Research
04:29:49 • 4min
The Aspartame Warning and the Jack Foot Effect
04:33:31 • 2min
How to Report on Aspartame Sweetener
04:35:26 • 3min
The Importance of Leaks in Reporting
04:38:40 • 4min
The New IR Classification of Aspartame Causes Cancer
04:42:39 • 3min
The FDA Approval Process and the Importance of Skepticism
04:46:08 • 2min
The FDA Approval Process for Aspartame
04:48:37 • 2min
The Impropriety of the Ramazini Institute Study
04:50:16 • 3min
The Importance of Industry Conflicts of Interest
04:53:02 • 6min
The I Arc Guidelines for Pickled Vegetable Consumption
04:58:52 • 2min
Aspartame and Cancer
05:00:28 • 2min
The Problem With Aspartame
05:02:54 • 3min
The Importance of Being Alive
05:06:00 • 4min
How to Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
05:10:07 • 2min
How to Improve Your Health
05:11:45 • 5min
The Importance of Recommendations
05:16:29 • 2min
The American Beverage Industry and Aspartame
05:18:51 • 4min
The Naturalistic Fallacy of Artificial Sweeteners
05:23:13 • 2min
The Naturalistic Fallacy of Artificial Things
05:25:34 • 4min
The Benefits of Organic Products
05:30:03 • 5min
Greg and Lyndsey dive into the history, conspiracies, science, and media coverage of aspartame to present a thorough overview of the recent WHO reports linking aspartame and cancer risk.
Is this one of the longest "podcast episodes" ever? Probably. But it's packed with fascinating history, relevant research breakdowns and media criticism, and takeaways for interpreting and navigating our society's abundance of health warnings.
TIME STAMPS
- History of artificial sweeteners preceding aspartame (9:43)
- The very sketchy approval process for aspartame and subsequent media coverage (1:02:35)
- Breaking down the World Health Organization's decision to classify aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic" (3:17:50)
- The fallout from the WHO's classification (4:24:27)
- Closing thoughts (5:22:04)
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
- Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.
- Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.
- Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
- Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
- MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.
- BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.
SOURCES AND LINKS
Intro
- Greg's recommendation: Factor meals
- Lyndsey's recommendations: Sturdy Girl Club stand-up series and Casey Johnston’s newsletter “She’s a Beast”
WHO Reports
- WHO: Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released
- The Lancet summary: Carcinogenicity of aspartame, methyleugenol, and isoeugenol
Full source list
- We had too many links to include here (lol), so please go to the page on Stronger By Science for a fully guided tour of our derangement: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-116/
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
- Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.
- Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.
- Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
- Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
- BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.
- MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.