|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

Cyclamate Side Effects

Michael Sveda discovered Cyclamate in 1937, while working at E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company as a chemical researcher. Cyclamate was used as a low calorie sweetener in soft drinks until 1969 when it met with controversy in the United States. In 1970 it was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based on studies that high doses of Cyclamate resulted in cancer and other conditions. Further studies on Cyclamate are being continued.

  1. Definition

    • Cyclamate is an artificial sweetener that is 30 times sweeter than sucrose. Cyclamate is used in food and beverages in more than 100 countries including Australia, Mexico, Canada and in parts of Europe. Cyclamate does not have the after taste of other artificial sweeteners.

    Side Effects

    • Studies done prior to the FDA ban placed on Cyclamate in the United States, report that high quantities of Cyclamate could result in a number of conditions. These are serious conditions to avoid and warrants the ban placed by the United States against the use of Cyclamate as a food additive.

    Bladder Cancer

    • Bladder cancer is one of the conditions that may be caused by Cyclamate according to the study. Bladder cancer is the formation of cancer cells in the tissues of the bladder. It is characterized by a urine test showing blood in the urine. Irritation of the bladder will result in frequent urination or a feeling of urgency to urinate.

    Liver Damage

    • Liver damage is another condition that Cyclamate may cause. The liver is an organ that has many important functions, such as the filtration of blood, production of bile and the breaking down and recycling of red blood cells. Liver damage could cause serious complications over time, resulting in jaundice and cirrhosis of the liver.

    Other Side Effects

    • Other side effects reported in the study include birth defects and birth mutations along with reduction in the male testosterone levels and the shriveling of the testes.

    Recent News about Cyclamate

    • According to Medicine Net, recent studies have failed to demonstrate that Cyclamate is a carcinogen (known to cause cancer) or a co-carcinogen (enhances the effect of a cancer causing substance.) Regardless of this report, there are other issues to be resolved before Cyclamate can be approved to be marketed as a food additive in the United States.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles