The WHO’s cancer-research arm, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has decided that the commonly-used sweetener aspartame “possibly causes cancer”. It’s been added to a long list of chemicals, activities, and occupations that are in some way carcinogenic. Apparently.
But the list is really stupid. In this episode of The Studies Show, Tom and Stuart ask about the point of this list, when after all, the dose makes the poison. Is working a night shift as much of a cancer risk as using aloe vera skin cream? Does it even make sense to ask that question?
The Studies Show is sponsored by Works in Progress magazine, the best place to find insightful essays on science, technology, and human progress. We’re very grateful for their support.
If you like the sound of The Studies Show, then please consider becoming a subscriber. You can join as a free subscriber and get an email whenever we release an episode. If you join as a paid subscriber, you’ll be able to access some features like chats with Tom and Stuart, and (soon) paid-only episodes. Either way, you can subscribe right here:
Show Notes
The IARC list of carcinogens
The Dynomight explainer on aspartame, its chemical properties, and its safety
The French study of sweeteners and cancer risk
Context on the level of risk
Long review article on the effects of aspartame
Critique of two of the Rammazini Institute’s aspartame studies
Tom’s Twitter thread on aspartame
Stuart’s article on aspartame
Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz’s article on aspartame and the IARC
Credits
The Studies Show is produced by Julian Mayers at Yada Yada Productions.
Episode 3: Aspartame and the stupid list of things that cause cancer