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Does artificial sweetener aspartame really cause cancer? What the WHO listing means for your diet soft drink habit

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organization, has declared aspartame may be a <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released">possible carcinogenic hazard to humans</a>. Another branch of the WHO, the Joint WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization’s Expert Committee on Food Additives has assessed the risk and developed recommendations on how much aspartame is safe to consume. They have recommended the acceptable daily intake be 0 to 40mg per kilo of body weight, as we currently have <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/additives/aspartame/Pages/default.aspx">in Australia</a>. A hazard is different to a risk. The hazard rating means it’s an agent that is capable of causing cancer; a risk measures the likelihood it could cause cancer. So what does this hazard assessment mean for you? <h2>Firstly, what is aspartame?</h2> <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/additives/aspartame/Pages/default.aspx">Aspartame is an artificial sweetener</a> that is 200 times sweeter than sugar, but without any kilojoules. It’s used in a <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/additives/aspartame/Pages/default.aspx">variety of products</a> including carbonated drinks such as Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Pepsi Max and some home brand offerings. You can identify aspartame in drinks and foods by looking for additive number 951. Food products such as yogurt and confectionery may also contain aspartame, but it’s not stable at warm temperatures and thus not used in baked goods. Commercial names of aspartame include Equal, Nutrasweet, Canderel and Sugar Twin. In Australia the acceptable daily intake is 40mg per kilo of body weight per day, which is about 60 sachets. <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food#:%7E:text=How%20many%20packets%20can%20a,based%20on%20its%20sweetness%20intensity%3F&text=Notes%20About%20the%20Chart%3A,50%20mg%2Fkg%20bw%2Fd">In America</a> the acceptable daily intake has been set at 75 sachets. <h2>What evidence have they used to come to this conclusion?</h2> <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released">IARC looked closely</a> at the <a href="https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/nutrition-and-food-safety/july-13-final-summary-of-findings-aspartame.pdf?sfvrsn=a531e2c1_5&download=true">evidence base</a> from around the world – using data from observational studies, experimental studies and animal studies. They found there was some limited evidence in human studies linking aspartame and cancer (specifically liver cancer) and limited evidence from animal studies as well. They also considered the biological mechanism studies which showed how cancer may develop from the consumption of aspartame. Usually these are lab-based studies which show exactly how exposure to the agent may lead to a cancer. In this case they found there was limited evidence for how aspartame might cause cancer. There were only three human studies that looked at cancer and aspartame intake. These large observational studies used the intake of soft drinks as an indicator of aspartame intake. All three found a positive association between artificially sweetened beverages and liver cancer in either all of the population they were studying or sub-groups within them. But these studies could not rule out other factors that may have been responsible for the findings. A study <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6284800/">conducted in Europe</a> followed 475,000 people for 11 years and found that each additional serve of diet soft drink consumed per week was linked to a 6% increased risk of liver cancer. However the scientists did conclude that due to the rarity of liver cancer they still had small numbers of people in the study. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35728406/">In a study from the US</a>, increased risk of liver cancer was seen in people with diabetes who drank more than two or more cans of a diet soda a week. The <a href="https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/31/10/1907/709398/Sugar-and-Artificially-Sweetened-Beverages-and">third study</a>, also from the US, found an increase in liver cancer risk in men who never smoked and drank two or more artificially sweetened drinks a day. From this they have decided to declare aspartame as a Group 2b “possible carcinogen”. But they have also said more and better research is needed to further understand the relationship between aspartame and cancer. IARC has four categories (groupings) available for potential substances (or as they are referred to by IARC, “agents”) that may cause cancer. <h2>What does each grouping mean?</h2> Group 1 Carcinogenic to humans: an agent in this group is carcinogenic, which means there is convincing evidence from human studies and we know precisely how it causes cancer. There are 126 agents in this group, including tobacco smoking, alcohol, processed meat, radiation and ionising radiation. Group 2a Probably carcinogenic to humans: there are positive associations between the agent and cancer in humans, but there may still be other explanations for the association which were not fully examined in the studies. There are 95 agents in this group, including red meat, DDT insecticide and night shift work. Group 2b Possibly carcinogenic in humans: this means limited evidence of causing cancer in humans, but sufficient evidence from animal studies, or the mechanism of how the agent may be carcinogenic is well understood. This basically means the current evidence indicates an agent may possibly be carcinogenic, but more scientific evidence from better conducted studies is needed. There are now <a href="https://monographs.iarc.who.int/agents-classified-by-the-iarc/">323</a> agents in this group, including aloe vera (whole leaf extract), ginkgo biloba and lead. Group 3 Not classifiable as a carcinogen: there’s not enough evidence from humans or animals, and there is limited mechanistic evidence of how it may be a carcinogen. There are 500 agents in this group. <h2>So do I have to give up my diet soft drink habit?</h2> For a 70kg person you would need to consume about 14 cans (over 5 litres) of soft drink sweetened with aspartame a day to reach the acceptable daily intake. But we need to remember there may also be aspartame added in other foods consumed. So this is an unrealistic amount to consume, but not impossible. We also need to consider all the evidence on aspartame together. The foods we typically see aspartame in are processed or ultra-processed, which have recently also been <a href="https://theconversation.com/ultra-processed-foods-are-trashing-our-health-and-the-planet-180115">shown to be detrimental to health</a>. And artificial sweeteners (including aspartame) <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892765/#!po=59.3750">can make people crave more sugar</a>, making them want to eat more food, potentially causing them to gain more weight. All together, this indicates we should be more careful about the amount of artificial sweeteners we consume, since they <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-who-says-we-shouldnt-bother-with-artificial-sweeteners-for-weight-loss-or-health-is-sugar-better-205827">do not provide any health benefits</a>, and have possible adverse effects. But overall, from this evidence, drinking the occasional or even daily can of a diet drink is safe and probably not a cancer risk. <hr /> Correction: this article originally stated each serve of soft drink in a study was linked to a 6% increased risk of liver cancer, however it was each additional serve per week. This has been amended.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208844/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-artificial-sweetener-aspartame-really-cause-cancer-what-the-who-listing-means-for-your-diet-soft-drink-habit-208844">original article</a>.

Body

Hard vs soft luggage – which is better?

Your suitcase will be your most faithful travel partner, so make sure you choose the right one. 1. How are you travelling? When you’re checking your luggage in for a standard flight, it makes very little difference whether it’s hard or soft. But other modes of transport can be difficult with a hard suitcase. It’s much harder to fit in the back of a taxi or car, and it can be trickier to stow on a bus or train. If you’re taking flights on very small planes your luggage might be restricted even further and hard sided bags can even be banned, so read the fine print. 2. What are you taking? Hard suitcases can provide more protection if you travel with a lot of breakables, like glass cosmetic bottles or electronics. It’s also good for flimsy souvenirs that you might pick up along the way. If you like to keep all your breakables in your carry on, then soft luggage should suit you fine. 3. Are you an organised packer (and unpacker)? Soft suitcases will generally come with a few more internal pockets or dividers, allowing you to separate out your items. Hard suitcases tend to be a big empty space. If you like things to be organised, soft luggage is the best bet. Hard suitcases also take up more room than soft, so if you like to live out of your case on the floor of your hotel room (rather than hanging things up) you could find it gets in the way. 4. How often do you travel? Hard luggage is more durable than soft and will usually stand up to the rough treatment of time in the cargo hold or being dragged around cobblestone streets. If you travel frequently, you’ll want your luggage to be able to survive multiple journeys without showing too much wear and tear. 5. Do you worry about security? It can be easier to break into a soft suitcase, if only because thieves can simply slash the fabric sides. It’s not usually possible to do this to a hard suitcase, so you are giving yourself an extra layer of protection. However, keep in mind that a good travel lock will usually deter most opportunistic thieves, so most types of suitcase are relatively safe. Image: Getty

Travel Tips

Pregnant New Zealand woman dies after drinking 3 litres of soft drink a day

A pregnant woman who drank an excessive amount of Coca-Cola and energy drinks has passed away, and according to recent coroner reports, this caffeine consumption may have contributed to her death. Amy Louise Thorpe died of an epileptic seizure at her home on December 4, 2018. According to findings released by coroner David Robinson, Thorpe, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, had a history of epilepsy and other conditions. Since she was pregnant, her seizures had increased in frequency to about once a week. She was also consuming two litres of Coca-Cola and between 500mls to one litre of energy drinks per day. Thorpe’s partner said that she was “addicted” to soft drink and a friend told police in a statement after her death that she consumed “more energy drinks in a day than people have coffee”. A month before her death, Thorpe was referred to a neurologist, Graeme Hammond-Tooke, who recommended she change her epilepsy medication. However, according to the coronial inquest, Thorpe was reluctant to change medication or undergo testing. Associate Professor Hammond Took provided advice for the coroner’s report, saying that it was possible that her excessive caffeinated drink intake had contributed to her death. “In the case of Ms Thorpe, I think it is possible that excessive caffeine contributed to poor seizure control,” he told The Sun. “While modest intake of caffeine contained in drinks is not likely to affect seizure control, large amounts probably do increase seizures, and may have other adverse effects on health.” Robinson said that making Thorpe’s case public should serve to raise awareness of the consequences of excessive caffeine use, especially for people who had epilepsy. Hero photo credits:<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12337029" target="_blank"> Otago Daily Times</a>

Body

“Rip off”: Furious tourists charged $141 for 8 soft drinks

A group of tourists were left agitated after being charged €82 ( $NZD141) for seven soft drinks and a milkshake after visiting a restaurant in Rhodes, Greece. This seems to be a common theme as of late with tourists getting stung with higher-than-expected food bills while travelling on holiday. Vikki Scott shared her experience at The Gate in Old Rhodes Town on Facebook. “Went to The Gate restaurant in Old Rhodes Town for a drink,” she wrote on Facebook. “The bill for eight soft drinks was €82 — €14 ($NZD 24) for a milkshake! “I confronted him and all he could say was ‘thank you lady’ people like him should not be allowed to rip off tourists,” the post said. “On our way back he posed for the photo until he realised who I was then he followed me down the street telling me I couldn’t take his photo. “Please share this especially in Rhodes sites to stop others getting ripped off!” <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fvikki.scott.961%2Fposts%2F2309378365951441&width=500" width="500" height="764" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Some people were quick to comment on the post saying that it was unfair for restaurants to charge that much. “All I can say is have your wits about you. Many places rip off the tourists,” one commented. Another agreed saying: “Easy money for them. I would have asked for a proper till receipt. No receipt no pay.” However, some felt it was up to the patrons to be smart. “Check the menu prices — otherwise only yourself to blame!” one commented.

Travel Trouble

“Don’t be soft”: Inside Elton John’s complicated relationship with his father

Elton John’s relationship with this father Stanley Dwight can be defined in three words, according to his new biopic Rocketman: “Don’t be soft.” The quote comes from a heartbreaking scene in the film, where a young Elton asks for a hug from his father. "When are you going to hug me?" asks a young Elton. "Don't be soft," replies his unforgiving father. The film continues to show the strained relationship between the pair as cold and unloving, with Elton’s father Stanley Dwight doubting his talents, questioning whether or not he is capable of receiving a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, and shaming him for practicing his scales on the piano. Elton has written about his complicated relationship with his father in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/elton-john-billy-elliots-dad-does-what-mine-never-could-dhrk8639bqt" target="_blank">The Sunday Times</a>, explaining that he was “a tough and unemotional man”. “Hard. In the RAF. He was dismissive, disappointed and finally absent. I just wanted him to acknowledge what I’d done. But he never did,” Elton wrote for the publication. Elton initially thought that his father didn’t understand children, but quickly realised that wasn’t the case. “He left us, remarried and had another family, and by all accounts was a great dad to them. It wasn’t children. It was me,” he wrote. However, Elton’s half-brother Geoff Dwight said that the allegations within the film are just not true. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> Elton John accused of lying about his 'neglectful' father in movie <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rocketman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rocketman</a> <a href="https://t.co/mB5HxBmOBl">https://t.co/mB5HxBmOBl</a> <a href="https://t.co/2QyNDEAgVB">pic.twitter.com/2QyNDEAgVB</a> — Mirror Celeb (@MirrorCeleb) <a href="https://twitter.com/MirrorCeleb/status/1135105093903278080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">2 June 2019</a></blockquote> “That's not the Dad I remember,” said Geoff, one of Stanley's four younger sons by his second marriage to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7094579/Elton-Johns-father-proud-brother-reveals-accuses-singer-betrayal-new-film.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a>. “Dad had a big heart and he loved us all equally. He was incredibly proud of Elton and everything that he achieved.” Geoff has lived a quiet life, but due to the popularity of the film, has felt the urge to speak out against the allegations of his late father. “This coldness, it's a million miles away from what Dad was like,” he said. “He was a product of a time when men didn't go around hugging each other and showing their feelings every minute of every day, but he had plenty of love in him for all of us.” Geoff then goes on to refute the opening scene of Rocketman, where Stanley comes home from a lengthy posting overseas and demands dinner instead of reuniting with his son. “I just cannot believe that,” exclaimed Geoff. “Dad was the one who registered Elton's birth. He was there when Elton was born and he did not stop caring.” Geoff also dismissed the claim that Stanley was unsupportive of Elton’s musical talents. “Dad encouraged all of us to be musical. He was in a swing band himself, so I see no reason why he'd have thwarted Elton. “I was hopeless on the piano, so Dad left a guitar and a trumpet out for me with a few teach-yourself books. That doesn't sound like a man who discourages his kids.” Rocketman is in cinemas now.

Music

The most deliciously soft chocolate chip banana bread

Have you ever wanted to combine two sweet flavours to get the ultimate dessert snack you won’t want to put down? This decadent chocolate chip banana bread by <a href="https://asassyspoon.com/chocolate-chip-banana-bread/">A Sassy Spoon</a> is all the best combinations made into one perfect meal. Ingredients <ul> <li>1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature (1/2 cup)</li> <li>1 cup brown sugar, packed</li> <li>1 large egg</li> <li>3-4 very ripe bananas, mashed (frozen bananas are extra sweet)</li> <li>1 teaspoon vanilla</li> <li>2 cups all-purpose flour</li> <li>1 teaspoon baking powder</li> <li>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</li> <li>1/4 teaspoon salt</li> <li>1 cup dark chocolate chips</li> </ul> Instructions <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius</li> <li>Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper, making sure the parchment is hanging over the sides of the loaf pan. This will help you easily remove the loaf after baking. Spray with non-stick spray and set aside.</li> <li>In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together for about 2 minutes until smooth. Whisk in the egg then add the mashed bananas and vanilla. Mix, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until well combined.</li> <li>Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.</li> <li>Pour the mixture into the loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes until a knife inserted in the centre of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!</li> </ol> This recipe makes 1 loaf and approximately 12 slices. Will you try this deliciously moist chocolate chip banana bread? Let us know in the comments below.

Food & Wine

"Can I give you a hug?" Prince William shows soft side while comforting victims

In recent years, Prince William (along with Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge) has made it his mission to raise awareness of mental illness and put an end to bullying. So, when he met up with two victims of cyberbullying – an issue close to his heart – the dad-of-two was understandably emotional. The 35-year-old hosted campaigners Lucy Alexander, who lost her son to suicide due to online abuse, and Chloe Hine, who attempted suicide herself at the age of just 13 as a result of cyberbullying, at Kensington Palace. “It is so brave of you both to speak so honestly about it," the prince told Lucy and Chloe, who shared their heartbreaking stories in the video below. <blockquote class="twitter-video"> You can watch The Duke share his motivation to tackle cyberbullying with Lucy and Chloe here → <a href="https://t.co/FFWwQMy1Tc">pic.twitter.com/FFWwQMy1Tc</a> — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/930811035526860800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2017</a></blockquote> “I know it can’t have been easy, but I can’t thank you enough. I only wish that neither of you had gone through what you’ve gone through.” At the end of the touching clip, William proved he’s certainly inherited his mother Princess Diana’s empathy, asking, “Can I give you both a hug?" Watch the video for yourself and tell us in the comments, what do you think of the young royals’ crusade against bullying? Image credit: @KensingtonRoyal/Twitter.

Caring

Chipotle lamb and corn salsa soft tacos

Forget mince and packet mix – once you try this completely homemade chipotle lamb and corn salsa taco filling, you’ll never go back. Grill the corn on the barbecue to add some smoke and char for extra flavour and visual appeal. Serve with a Spanish rice for a light meal option. Substitute lamb for beef, pork or chicken. Serves: 2 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 tablespoons peanut oil</li> <li>300 g cooked pulled lamb rib meat</li> <li>4 soft tacos (flour or corn)</li> <li>½ cup chopped coriander</li> </ul> For the salsa <ul> <li>1 avocado, chopped</li> <li>½ white onion, finely chopped</li> <li>½ cup corn kernels</li> <li>2 tablespoons olive oil</li> <li>½ teaspoon kosher salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper</li> <li>½ teaspoon agave sugar</li> </ul> For the sauce <ul> <li>½ cup light sour cream</li> <li>½ chipotle pepper</li> <li>juice of ½ lime</li> <li>¼ teaspoons kosher salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon agave sugar</li> </ul> Method: <ol start="1"> <li>To make the salsa, add the avocado, white onion, corn kernels, olive oil, salt, pepper and agave sugar to a mixing bowl and mix well. Set aside.</li> <li>To make the sauce, add the sour cream, chipotle pepper, lime juice, kosher salt and agave sugar to a small food processor and blend to a fine consistency.</li> <li>Heat the peanut oil in a grill pan over medium heat and add the cooked pulled lamb rib meat. Lightly fry to serving temperature. Ensure the meat is still tender and not dry or crispy. Remove the lamb once at temperature and set aside.</li> <li>Place the lamb on the taco, drizzle with the chipotle sauce and top with the corn salsa. Add the chopped coriander, to garnish.</li> </ol> <img width="119" height="131" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/44154/ribs-cover_119x131.jpg" alt="Ribs Cover (1)" style="float: right;"/> This is an extract from Ribs, New Holland Publishers RRP $45.00 available from all good bookstores or online, www.newhollandpublishers.com.

Food & Wine

Why Jamie Oliver wants to ban this product

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been accused of “moral scaremongering” by some parties, for advocating a ban on selling energy drinks to children under 16. The TV host, who has <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/2017/08/jamie-oliver-daughters-all-grown-up/" target="_blank">long campaigned against childhood obesity</a>, believes the sale of these caffeine-laden drinks should be prohibited to youngsters. But the Australian Beverages Council, which represents drinks like Red Bull, Monster and V Energy, have hit back, saying Oliver’s claims are, “just not supported by the facts”. The council’s chief executive Geoff Parker, said: “If caffeine is this celebrity chef’s main concern, then we expect Mr Oliver to also be calling for age restrictions on coffee, tea, and even the chocolate in his own decadent desserts. “By law in Australia, energy drinks must be clearly labelled that they are not suitable for children.” <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/04/jamie-oliver-shares-adorable-message-to-celebrate-daughters-birthday/" target="_blank">Oliver is not alone</a> in his calls to ban the drinks, with the Australian Dental Association, Obesity Coalition and Country Women’s Association also supporting a ban. The Heart Foundation, Diabetes Australian and Cancer Council Australia also weighed in, and want the products to be taxed heavily to discourage consumption. What are your thoughts? Are you with the celebrity chef on this one? Hero image credit: Twitter / Jamie Oliver‏

Body

Are diet soft drinks bad for your brain?

For people looking to lose weight, swapping a Coke for the diet version could reduce your calories intake by as much as 8400 calories per month (that is, if you don’t make up the calories elsewhere!) But a new study has found that artificial sweeteners in diet drinks are associated with an increased risk of dementia and stroke. Researchers looked at health data from 3,000 adults over a 10-year period. The findings showed that people who consumed diet drinks at least once per day were three times more likely to develop dementia and suffered three times more stroke compared to people who did not consume diet drinks. Alarmingly, people who drank regular (non-diet) soft drinks were not linked with a higher risk of dementia or stroke. However, there’s more to the story so don’t give up your favourite diet soft drink just yet. The study did not establish cause and effect. Even if there’s a higher rate of brain disease in people who drink diet sodas, it’s not to say that the diet drinks were the cause. The study also did not look at the overall health effects of diet soft drinks, it’s possible they are still the healthier choice. Like most things though, it seems that if you’re a lover of diet sodas moderation is the key.

Mind

The truth about sugar-free soft drinks

It's true that sugar-free soft drinks have very little to no calories, but a new study shows they may be no better than the real thing. It's widely accepted that fizzy drinks continue to contribute to the country's obesity crisis, and bad press is leading to a decline in their consumption. Companies have poured resources into offering sugar-free alternatives suited to health-conscious consumers. But a new study from researchers in the UK and Brazil revealed sugar-free, or "diet" drink alternatives, may be no better for weight loss or preventing weight gain than sugary versions because they lead to the overconsumption of other foods. "A common perception, which may be influenced by industry marketing, is that because 'diet' drinks have no sugar, they must be healthier and aid weight loss when used as a substitute for full sugar versions," said Imperial College London public health professor Christopher Millett. Artificially sweetened soft drinks have few to zero calories but researchers are concerned the fake sugar could stimulate sweet taste receptors and trigger people to eat more. Overconsumption of other foods can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related health problems, researchers said. Although there was no direct evidence of sugar-free drinks leading to weight gain, the researchers found there's no evidence the drinks help people lose weight or prevent weight gain compared with full sugar drinks. "The lack of solid evidence on the health effects of ASBs and the potential influence of bias from industry funded studies should be taken seriously when discussing whether ASBs are adequate alternatives to SSBs," said Federal University of Pelotas researcher doctor Maria Borges. Artificially sweetened beverages make up a quarter of the world's sweetened drinks market, but are not taxed or regulated to the same extent as sugar-sweetened beverages. Researchers said this could be because artificial sweeteners are thought to be harmless. In February last year Nelson Marlborough District Health Board extended its policy preventing the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages to cover artificially-sweetened beverages. Artificially-sweetened beverages had a detrimental effect on teeth and general health, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board principal dental officer Dr Rob Beaglehole said. University of Sao Paulo researcher professor Carlos Monteiro said, "Taxes and regulation on SBS and not ASBs will ultimately promote the consumption of diet drinks rather than plain water - the desirable source of hydration for everyone." The authors said artificially-sweetened drinks may be contributing to the global obesity epidemic "and should not be promoted as part of a healthy diet". Do you opt for diet fizzy drinks over their full-sugar counterparts? Let us know in the comments below. Written by Rachel Clayton. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2017/01/reasons-to-be-wary-of-low-fat-products/">3 reasons to be wary of low-fat products</a> <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2016/12/5-tips-to-understand-nutrition-labels/%20">5 tips to understand nutrition labels</a> <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2017/01/how-to-make-food-tastier-without-salt/%20">How to make food tastier without salt</a>

Body

5 foods a nutritionist would never let you eat

While there’s something to be said for enjoying everything in moderation, these five foods are so wholly devoid of nutrition they’re best avoided entirely. Here are five foods a nutritionist would never let you eat. 1. Soft drink This one probably comes as no surprise and soft drinks are one of the most concentrated sources of added sugars. A 600ml of your favourite fizzy drink can have to 13 teaspoons of sugar in it, and they are also highly acidic, which is a nightmare for your dental health. 2. Refined rice snacks While they often present themselves as alternatives to traditional packaged chips, the processed rice that goes into refined rice snacks can sense blood glucose levels soaring. It’s easy to overconsume these carb-rich snacks that often also contain added MSG. 3. Vegetable oils Compared to extra virgin olive oil, vegetable oil offers little in terms of nutrition and also contains palm oil which is known to increase the risk of heart disease. Add to this the environmental damage caused by palm oil plantations, and it’s best to steer clear. 4. Frozen baked goods Meat pies, sausages roles and any of the goodies you’ll find in the frozen section of the supermarket are baked full of saturated fats and full of trans fats which can be highly damaging to the body. If you’ve got the time (and capacity) homemade is a better option. 5. Pre-packaged noodles The list of ingredients on a packet of two minute noodles generally reads like a nutritionist’s horror movie. These meals are packed full of preservatives, flavours and additives, as well as being high in carbs and salt. MSG is often added as well. Do you agree with our list? Are there any other types of food that you try to avoid at all costs? Let us know in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/09/tips-to-make-your-dishwasher-clean-better/">11 tips to make your dishwasher clean better</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/09/the-truth-about-eating-small-frequent-meals/">The truth about eating small frequent meals</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/09/is-wheat-really-killing-us/">Is wheat really killing us?</a>

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Rotolo with pumpkin, hazelnuts, soft cheese and sage butter

The thought of rolling up what is essentially some great big cannelloni into a tea towel and poaching it sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it is surprisingly straightforward. The pumpkin, hazelnut and soft cheese combo is a crowd-pleasing winner, but you can fill the rotolo with anything you like; sautéed mushrooms, spinach and ricotta or courgette, feta and lemon are all good alternatives. If you really can't be bothered with the process of making pasta dough and rolling it out, then by all means, get hold of some pre-made pasta sheets. Ingredients: <ul> <li>500g of 00-grade or high-grade flour, plus a little extra</li> <li>1 tsp salt</li> <li>5 large eggs</li> <li>half a large butternut pumpkin, peeled and de-seeded</li> <li>olive oil</li> <li>salt and pepper</li> <li>100g soft white cheese such as ricotta, buffalo mozzarella or chèvre</li> <li>½ cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped</li> <li>200g butter</li> <li>handful of sage leaves</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat the oven to 180ºC.</li> <li>Start with the pasta. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt, then create a well in the middle, drop in the eggs, whisk them up with a fork a little, then gradually work the flour into the eggs until everything is incorporated and you are left with a dough. Knead for several minutes so that the dough becomes smooth and elastic, then shape into a flat discus shape, cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least half an hour.</li> <li>In the meantime, cut the pumpkin into crescents and add to an oiled baking dish. Season well with salt and pepper and roast until tender.</li> <li>Roll the rested pasta out, using a pasta machine (or a rolling pin, alternatively), to a thickness of about 1-2 millimetres. What you want to end up with is a length of pasta about 80cm long by 20cm wide.</li> <li>Place a fresh, clean tea towel out on the bench and lay the sheet of pasta over the top. Trim the ends so that you have at least two inches of tea towel showing lengthways at each end. Arrange a generous amount of pumpkin down the middle, allowing for a few inches on either side. Run a length of cheese down the middle of the pumpkin, and scatter over the hazelnuts.</li> <li>Using the tea towel as a guide, tightly roll the whole thing up as you would a sort of Swiss roll, making sure that you keep everything tightly together. Pinch down the ends, and wrap the tea towel around the outside of the roll, tying the ends together with string. Place in an accommodating roasting dish, top up with boiling water so that the whole thing is submerged, and pop in the preheated oven for about half an hour, topping up the pan with more hot water if necessary. Check to see if the pasta is al dente – after half an hour it should be nicely done. Carefully remove from the pan, unwrap from the tea towel, and cut into thick slices. Serve with the sage butter spooned over the top.</li> <li>As the rotolo is cooking, make the sage butter sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat until the white milk solids have separated out. Strain the milk solids off and discard, and return the clarified butter to the heat in a pan. Once it is quite hot, add the sage leaves and fry quickly until they are crisp. Remove from the heat and use to spoon over the rotolo. Serve immediately.</li> </ol> What else would you like to stuff in your rotolo? Share your ideas in the comments section below. Written by Sam Mannering. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/07/new-research-says-pasta-doesnt-actually-make-you-fat/">New research says pasta doesn’t actually make you fat</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/roast-winter-vegetable-pasta/">Roast winter vegetable pasta with herb and lemon dressing</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/bolognaise-style-mushroom-ragu/">Bolognaise-style mushroom ragu</a>

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Rotolo with pumpkin, hazelnuts, soft cheese and sage butter

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Does artificial sweetener aspartame really cause cancer? What the WHO listing means for your diet soft drink habit

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Rotolo with pumpkin, hazelnuts, soft cheese and sage butter

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