“The conclusions shouldn’t be a surprise to health professionals, as they reflect what science and common sense have told us for years,” said Brendan Naulty, president of Ajinomoto North America. “Aspartame is a safe and potentially valuable tool for helping consumers manage their calories.”
The evaluation, posted on the ADA Evidence Analysis Library website, answers several recently raised questions concerning aspartame. For example:
In 2008, the ADA began this in-depth analysis of a list of questions about aspartame using its ‘evidence analysis’ approach, which systematically and rigourously evaluates relevant human studies that fall within specific, predetermined parameters.
Factors such as size and quality of each study and potential bias are taken into account. After each study is analysed by registered dieticians (RD), a separate expert group of RDs applies that research to the questions at hand. A conclusion statement is formulated for each question, and a ‘grade’ is assigned to each statement indicating the strength of the evidence supporting that conclusion.
“Given the mixed messages consumers receive about low-calorie sweeteners and weight management, the aspartame review is quite timely,” said Lisa Carlson, a Chicago-based registered dietician. “It adds meaningful, science-based information that will help registered dieticians respond to questions from consumers.”
Source: Ajinomoto North America
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