MangoodEarly access
Ingredient dossier · No. 026

Aspartame

Also: E951 · NutraSweet · Equal · AminoSweet


Limit but don't panicIARC moved it to 'possibly carcinogenic' in 2023, though FDA's acceptable daily intake remains generous.


01 · Hormonal impact

Testosterone & hormonal load

Evidence
WeakIn vitro only or single study

Aspartame's testosterone link is based on animal studies only; human evidence is not established. In 2023, IARC reclassified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B) based on limited evidence for hepatocellular carcinoma. Simultaneously, JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake at 40 mg/kg/day, noting insufficient evidence to recommend a change. Most men consuming aspartame in supplement amounts are well below this threshold.


02 · Where it appears

Found in.

01Diet sodas
02Sugar-free protein bars
03Chewing gum
04Some pre-workout supplements
05Sugar-free drinks

03 · The regulators

Two jurisdictions, two different verdicts.

European Union

Approved sweetener E951. EFSA ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight/day reaffirmed in 2023.

United States · FDA

FDA approved; ADI of 50 mg/kg/day. FDA stands by its safety assessment despite IARC Group 2B classification.


04 · Sources

The receipts.

  1. [01]
    IARC/JECFA — Aspartame hazard and risk assessment 2023
    www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PR345_E.pdf
  2. [02]
    FDA — Aspartame and other sweeteners
    www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food
  3. [03]
    EFSA — Re-evaluation of aspartame 2013
    www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3496

05 · Related dossiers
01SucraloseC · 50
Scan, don’t guess

Find Aspartame before it finds you.

Point the camera at any barcode. Mangood reads the ingredient list and tells you, in one tap, whether Aspartame is hiding in the bottle in your hand.

Get early access