Endoh’s Dungeon

What if I tell you that the Diet Coke you are drinking may contribute to higher chances of leukemia, lymphoma or breast cancer? How much more healthy are you, if you are a regular drinker of such sugar-free drinks?

Several friends have shared their lifestyle choices with me, and diet drinks are one of them. In fact, I didn’t know there is a group of (low profile) diet-drinks community in Singapore until I was told. With it, they advocate healthy life choices in terms of food and activities. Of course, healthy food is what our Government is also hoping for Singaporeans to adopt. What if the crowd is wrong?

4,000 rats were experimented with by Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center with the chemical compound, Aspartame. It is a replacement commonly found in diet drinks to replace sugar. The second test was carried out to affirm their results and better quantify the cancer risks involved. Let’s cut the story short and go straight to the results, which says;

The results of this carcinogenicity bioassay not only confirm, but also reinforce the first experimental demonstration of APM’s multipotential carcinogenicity at a dose level close to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for humans. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that when lifespan exposure to [aspartame] begins during fetal life, its carcinogenic effects are increased.

I doubt it will change anything, particularly the diet habits of a significant amount of population. It’s just like how people like me who sticks to normal soft drinks despite the higher sugar content. The “healthier” choice however, pose greater risks of cancer.

I guess it’s also time for consumers to do a little self-research on the food that we consume daily. It is so easy to fall into the trap of ill-informed marketing gimmicks. And with this report, some marketing slogans can cost as much as your life apparently.

My Spiritual Father’s family stays off soft drinks, especially so-called “diet” drinks. His wife had recovered from cancer and how will “healthy” drinks help her? I guess it’s time for me to learn from them… go organic!

But but… I’m going to miss my meats!