Docs Who Lift cover image

Docs Who Lift

Diet Soda, Cancer, and the WHO

Jul 10, 2023
Dr. Andrea Love, a cancer immunologist, joins the hosts to discuss the controversy surrounding the recent headlines about aspartame being listed as a possible carcinogen by the WHO. They explore the classifications of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the safety of aspartame consumption, and the controversy surrounding diet soda.
26:36
Creator website

Episode guests

Andrea Love

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The classifications of substances based on their potential carcinogenicity by the IARC do not consider dosage, route of exposure, or duration of exposure, and substances in Group 1 have strong evidence of causing cancer in humans.
  • Flawed studies claiming a connection between aspartame and cancer were based on unrealistic high doses, and aspartame is metabolized into amino acids used to make proteins in the body, making it unlikely to cause cancer in humans.

Deep dives

Understanding the WHO's classification of substances

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group created by the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies substances based on their potential carcinogenicity (ability to cause cancer). The classifications include Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans), Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans), Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), and Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity). These classifications do not consider dosage, route of exposure, or duration of exposure. It's important to note that substances in Group 1, such as tobacco and radiation, have strong evidence showing a causal relationship with cancer in humans, while substances in Group 2A and 2B have limited evidence or positive associations with cancer.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner