Voorblad
Studentnummer: 995451433
Naam: Cynthia
Naam opleiding: NTI
Opleidingscode:
Modulenummer: 6691
Modulenaam: Evidence Based Practice
Versie (indien meerdere versies aanwezig):
Herkansing?: Nee
In de opdracht is de juiste bronvermelding toegepast: Ja
In de opdracht zijn de verslagtechnieken toegepast: Ja
,Inhoudsopgave
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Hoofdstuk 1 - Inleiding ............................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Beschrijving onderwerp van het onderzoek ................................................................................. 2
1.2 Doel van het onderzoek ................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Probleemstelling ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Onderzoeksvraag .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Deelvragen ................................................................................................................................... 3
Hoofdstuk 2 - Literatuuronderzoek naar de zoetstof aspartaam ........................................ 3
2.1 Resultaten en conclusies literatuuronderzoek .............................................................................. 3
Hoofdstuk 3 – Methoden van onderzoek naar de publieke opinie over aspartaam .......... 5
3.1 Probleemdefinitie ......................................................................................................................... 5
3.3. Methoden van onderzoek ............................................................................................................ 6
3.4 Grootte van de steekproef ............................................................................................................ 6
3.5. Toe te passen analysemethode .................................................................................................... 7
Hoofdstuk 4- resultaten ........................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Beschrijving van de onderzoeksgroep.......................................................................................... 7
4.2 Kennis over aspartaam ................................................................................................................. 7
4.3 Voorkeur en houding ten opzichte van aspartaam ....................................................................... 8
4.4 Houding en kennis ten aanzien van veiligheid ............................................................................. 8
4.5 Open vragen ................................................................................................................................. 8
Hoofdstuk 5 – Conclusies en discussies ................................................................................ 10
5.1 Conclusies per deelvraag ............................................................................................................ 10
5.2 Antwoord op de probleemstelling .............................................................................................. 11
5.3 Sterke punten van het onderzoek ............................................................................................... 11
5.4 Beperkingen van het onderzoek ................................................................................................. 11
5.5 Aanbevelingen voor vervolgonderzoek ..................................................................................... 12
,Hoofdstuk 6 – Advies aan het Kenniscentrum Zoetstoffen ................................................ 12
6.2 Aanbeveling communicatieboodschap ....................................................................................... 13
6.3 Aanbeveling voor de beste methode van bereik......................................................................... 13
6.4 Aanbeveling voor de boodschap die aansluit bij de opinie ........................................................ 13
Literatuurlijst.............................................................................................................................. 15
Bijlage 1- Stappen en resultaten literatuuronderzoek ........................................................ 17
Bijlage 2 – Verantwoording en beschrijving onderzoek .................................................... 19
Bijlage 3 – Niet geanalyseerde data en weergave open antwoorden ................................. 21
, Abstract
Aspartame is an artificial high-intensity sweetener widely used in beverages, foods, and
pharmaceuticals, resulting in daily consumption by millions of people worldwide. Consumption of
aspartame is safe within the established acceptable daily intake. This is confirmed by national and
international authorities. Despite extensive research to safety and health effects, public debate and
uncertainty remains under consumers. This study aimed to examine the safety of aspartame
consumption by adults based on recent scientific literature and to explore how public opinion
compares with current scientific evidence.
A literature review was conducted focusing on articles published within the past year, addressing the
metabolism, potential health effects, and official intake recommendations for aspartame. In addition,
a combined quantitative and qualitative opinion study was carried out using a digital survey among
Dutch adults aged 18–85 years. The literature review indicates that aspartame is fully metabolized
into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol through normal physiological pathways and poses no
risk for healthy adults when consumed within the ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day. Compared
with sugar, aspartame may offer benefits such as reduced energy intake and improved glycaemic
control, particularly when used as a sugar substitute.
The opinion study revealed that public perception of aspartame is divided and characterized by
uncertainty. While most respondents were familiar with aspartame, a substantial proportion
expressed concerns about its safety, often related to its “non-natural” character, potential risk of
cancer or unknown long-term effects. These concerns were largely based on ‘hear say’ rather than
scientific knowledge.
In conclusion, scientific evidence supports the safety of aspartame consumption within
recommended limits, whereas public opinion only partially aligns with this consensus. These
findings highlight the need for clear, transparent, and accessible communication to bridge the gap
between scientific evidence and consumer perception.
1
Studentnummer: 995451433
Naam: Cynthia
Naam opleiding: NTI
Opleidingscode:
Modulenummer: 6691
Modulenaam: Evidence Based Practice
Versie (indien meerdere versies aanwezig):
Herkansing?: Nee
In de opdracht is de juiste bronvermelding toegepast: Ja
In de opdracht zijn de verslagtechnieken toegepast: Ja
,Inhoudsopgave
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Hoofdstuk 1 - Inleiding ............................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Beschrijving onderwerp van het onderzoek ................................................................................. 2
1.2 Doel van het onderzoek ................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Probleemstelling ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Onderzoeksvraag .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Deelvragen ................................................................................................................................... 3
Hoofdstuk 2 - Literatuuronderzoek naar de zoetstof aspartaam ........................................ 3
2.1 Resultaten en conclusies literatuuronderzoek .............................................................................. 3
Hoofdstuk 3 – Methoden van onderzoek naar de publieke opinie over aspartaam .......... 5
3.1 Probleemdefinitie ......................................................................................................................... 5
3.3. Methoden van onderzoek ............................................................................................................ 6
3.4 Grootte van de steekproef ............................................................................................................ 6
3.5. Toe te passen analysemethode .................................................................................................... 7
Hoofdstuk 4- resultaten ........................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Beschrijving van de onderzoeksgroep.......................................................................................... 7
4.2 Kennis over aspartaam ................................................................................................................. 7
4.3 Voorkeur en houding ten opzichte van aspartaam ....................................................................... 8
4.4 Houding en kennis ten aanzien van veiligheid ............................................................................. 8
4.5 Open vragen ................................................................................................................................. 8
Hoofdstuk 5 – Conclusies en discussies ................................................................................ 10
5.1 Conclusies per deelvraag ............................................................................................................ 10
5.2 Antwoord op de probleemstelling .............................................................................................. 11
5.3 Sterke punten van het onderzoek ............................................................................................... 11
5.4 Beperkingen van het onderzoek ................................................................................................. 11
5.5 Aanbevelingen voor vervolgonderzoek ..................................................................................... 12
,Hoofdstuk 6 – Advies aan het Kenniscentrum Zoetstoffen ................................................ 12
6.2 Aanbeveling communicatieboodschap ....................................................................................... 13
6.3 Aanbeveling voor de beste methode van bereik......................................................................... 13
6.4 Aanbeveling voor de boodschap die aansluit bij de opinie ........................................................ 13
Literatuurlijst.............................................................................................................................. 15
Bijlage 1- Stappen en resultaten literatuuronderzoek ........................................................ 17
Bijlage 2 – Verantwoording en beschrijving onderzoek .................................................... 19
Bijlage 3 – Niet geanalyseerde data en weergave open antwoorden ................................. 21
, Abstract
Aspartame is an artificial high-intensity sweetener widely used in beverages, foods, and
pharmaceuticals, resulting in daily consumption by millions of people worldwide. Consumption of
aspartame is safe within the established acceptable daily intake. This is confirmed by national and
international authorities. Despite extensive research to safety and health effects, public debate and
uncertainty remains under consumers. This study aimed to examine the safety of aspartame
consumption by adults based on recent scientific literature and to explore how public opinion
compares with current scientific evidence.
A literature review was conducted focusing on articles published within the past year, addressing the
metabolism, potential health effects, and official intake recommendations for aspartame. In addition,
a combined quantitative and qualitative opinion study was carried out using a digital survey among
Dutch adults aged 18–85 years. The literature review indicates that aspartame is fully metabolized
into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol through normal physiological pathways and poses no
risk for healthy adults when consumed within the ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight per day. Compared
with sugar, aspartame may offer benefits such as reduced energy intake and improved glycaemic
control, particularly when used as a sugar substitute.
The opinion study revealed that public perception of aspartame is divided and characterized by
uncertainty. While most respondents were familiar with aspartame, a substantial proportion
expressed concerns about its safety, often related to its “non-natural” character, potential risk of
cancer or unknown long-term effects. These concerns were largely based on ‘hear say’ rather than
scientific knowledge.
In conclusion, scientific evidence supports the safety of aspartame consumption within
recommended limits, whereas public opinion only partially aligns with this consensus. These
findings highlight the need for clear, transparent, and accessible communication to bridge the gap
between scientific evidence and consumer perception.
1
