Can persons with diabetes consume aspartame?

Persons with diabetes can safely consume aspartame. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has followed the FDA recommendations and recognizes that there is no credible scientific evidence linking aspartame to any health-related problems for people with diabetes, and that "it considers aspartame an acceptable sugar substitute and a safe part of a diabetic meal plan."

In fact, research shows that aspartame does not affect short-term or long-term blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. In a long-term study published by Diabetes Care, researchers randomly divided 62 subjects with either insulin-dependent or non-insulin dependent diabetes into two groups. During meals, one group took capsules containing aspartame, while the other group took placebo capsules. The study was double-blinded; meaning neither the subjects nor the researcher knew who took the aspartame and who took the placebo. After 18 weeks, neither group experienced changes in fasting or post-meal blood sugar levels, or in the levels of glycohemoglobin, a measure of long-term blood sugar control. Researchers thus concluded that using aspartame does not affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. The ADA recommends that children and adults with diabetes consult their physicians and health professionals concerning the use of low-calorie sweeteners in their daily meal plans.