The Stronger By Science Podcast

Aspartame: The Surprisingly Interesting Science and History

Episode Summary

Greg and Lyndsey dive into the history, conspiracies, science, and media coverage of aspartame to present a thorough overview of the recent WHO reports linking aspartame and cancer risk. Is this one of the longest "podcast episodes" ever? Probably. But it's packed with fascinating history, relevant research breakdowns and media criticism, and takeaways for interpreting and navigating our society's abundance of health warnings.

Episode Notes

Greg and Lyndsey dive into the history, conspiracies, science, and media coverage of aspartame to present a thorough overview of the recent WHO reports linking aspartame and cancer risk. 

Is this one of the longest "podcast episodes" ever? Probably. But it's packed with fascinating history, relevant research breakdowns and media criticism, and takeaways for interpreting and navigating our society's abundance of health warnings. 

TIME STAMPS

• History of artificial sweeteners preceding aspartame (9:43)
• The very sketchy approval process for aspartame and subsequent media coverage (1:02:35)
• Breaking down the World Health Organization's decision to classify aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic" (3:17:50) 
• The fallout from the WHO's classification (4:24:27) 
• Closing thoughts (5:22:04)

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SOURCES AND LINKS

Intro

• Greg's recommendation: Factor meals
• Lyndsey's recommendations: Sturdy Girl Club stand-up series and Casey Johnston’s newsletter “She’s a Beast”

WHO Reports 

• WHO: Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released
• The Lancet summary: Carcinogenicity of aspartame, methyleugenol, and isoeugenol

Full source list

• We had too many links to include here (lol), so please go to the page on Stronger By Science for a fully guided tour of our derangement: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-116/