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Aspartame ingestion and headaches: a randomized crossover trial
S K Van den Eeden1, T D Koepsell, W T Longstreth
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Neurology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Artificial sweetener aspartame consumption is linked to increased headaches in sensitive individuals. This double-blind study found a higher headache occurrence in participants consuming aspartame versus placebo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Food Science
Background:
- Headaches are a common ailment, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame are frequently implicated as triggers.
- Previous anecdotal evidence suggests a link between aspartame consumption and headache occurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between aspartame ingestion and headache incidence in individuals who self-report headaches after consuming aspartame.
- To determine if aspartame consumption leads to a statistically significant increase in headache frequency compared to a placebo.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-period crossover study was conducted with 32 volunteers reporting aspartame-associated headaches.
- Participants received aspartame (approximately 30 mg/kg/d) and placebo over 7-day periods.
- Headache frequency, intensity, duration, and side effects were recorded.
Main Results:
- Subjects reported headaches on 33% of days during aspartame treatment versus 24% on placebo (p = 0.04).
- Individuals highly confident that aspartame triggered their headaches showed a significantly greater difference in headache days between aspartame and placebo (p < 0.001).
- No significant differences were found in headache length, intensity, or associated side effects.
Conclusions:
- Controlled study conditions provide evidence that a subset of individuals reporting aspartame-induced headaches experience more headaches when consuming aspartame.
- Certain individuals exhibit particular susceptibility to aspartame, suggesting they may benefit from limiting its consumption.