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Share on Pinterest A recent investigation has found that food and beverage companies are paying influencers on Tiktok and Instagram to spread misinformation and downplay health risks associated with the artificial sweetener aspartame. SrdjanPav/Getty ImagesAn investigation by Washington Post has revealed that many dietitians were paid to spread misinformation about aspartame by the food and beverage industry.Influencers used the #safetyofaspartame hashtag to discredit WHO warnings about the artificial sweetenerAccording to the WHO, aspartame is possibly carcinogenic when consumed in high quantities.Experts agree that its generally safe to consume in moderation, but you can cut back by substituting it with maple syrup, honey, or dates.

A Washington Post investigation has found that dozens of influencer dietitians on TikTok and Instagram were paid by the food and beverage industry to spread misinformation about the safety of the artificial sweetener aspartame.

The promotion was designed to blunt warnings from The World Health Organization (WHO) published in July that said aspartame is ineffective for weight loss and possibly carcinogenic.

Many influencers claimed the WHO warnings were clickbait and based on low-quality science. The campaign was shown to have reached 11 million followers and counting.

Aspartame is found in a wide range of foods and drinks, including sugar-free soda and diet foods.

Research indicates around 6,000 products are manufactured with aspartame.

The sweetener, often used as a weight-management tool, is about 200 times sweeter than table sugar, but low in calories, packing around four calories per gram.

However, health bodies recommend a daily limit of 40 mg/kg body weight to limit its potentially cancer-causing effects.

Nutritionist Rebecca Heald says its very concerning to hear that some dietitians are spreading misinformation about the safety of this popular artificial sweetener.

As a responsible source of nutrition information, dietitians should base their advice on credible scientific evidence. However, its not entirely surprising that this happens, as the internet and social media platforms have been known to amplify unverified claims and sensational information, she points out.

Misinformation may have caused confusion about the health risks posed by aspartame. So, just how safe is the sweetener? Health risks associated with aspartame

You may be relieved to know that in small quantities aspartame is unlikely to cause you any harm. However, there are some things to consider before including it in your diet.

Aspartame has undergone extensive safety testing and is considered safe for consumption by regulatory agencies like the FDA and EFSA. However, some individuals may have specific sensitivities or allergies to aspartame, resulting in adverse reactions, says Heald.

In very high doses, it can cause headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, and allergic reactions.

Whats more, it may not be the best appetite and weight management tool.

Some studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners like aspartame may disrupt the bodys natural appetite regulation mechanisms, Heald explains. This can potentially lead to overeating or cravings for sweeter, high-calorie foods, which, in turn, may affect gut health and contribute to weight gain.

Like Heald, clinic nutritionist Nishtha Patel agrees that aspartame appears to be safe in moderation, but doesnt necessarily recommend it.

A large number of scientific research and regulatory agencies around the world seem to agree that aspartame is safe for consumption when taken within the recommended daily intake, Patel points out.

Furthermore, it seems that the risk factors are most relevant to certain conditions such as phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder that stops you from metabolizing a specific amino acid found in aspartame called phenylalanine.

Still, Patel isnt sold on the benefits of adding artificial sweeteners like aspartame to your diet.

I personally do not like to use artificial sweeteners or anything artificial. My philosophy is to go as close to nature as possible, she says. How much aspartame is safe to consume?

If youre counting calories in a bid to lose or maintain weight, consuming foods and drinks that contain aspartame is one way to continue enjoying usually high-calorie and high-sugar treats like soda.

It may sound obvious to say that moderation is key, but when it comes to aspartame, what does moderation actually look like?

According to the WHO, a can of diet soft drink contains 200 or 300 mg of aspartame, and an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 914 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming no other intake from other food sources.

As the WHO guidance suggests, Heald says you dont need to eliminate aspartame completely unless you have an allergy or sensitivity.

Her advice?

Just be sure to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods alongside it. How to limit artificial sweeteners

If you are looking to cut down on artificial sweeteners like aspartame, or hoping to eliminate them completely, Heald says getting curious about food labels is the best place to start.

You can identify aspartame on food labels by looking for its presence in the ingredient list, but if in doubt, its typically found in sugar-free or diet products, like diet drinks, sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free desserts, and some low-calorie foods, she explains.

You might want to consider eating these less frequently or making room for the non-diet versions of these foods assuming you can enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid aspartame, you should choose products that are explicitly labeled as aspartame-free or no artificial sweeteners, Heald says.

And if you want to add a little sweetness to your food? Patel recommends a little maple syrup, honey, or dates as potential substitutes. Takeaway

In the social media age, misinformation can be difficult to spot and, when it comes to dietary advice, scrutiny is needed to assess the reliability of any claim.

Where aspartame is concerned, Heald says its essential to approach this topic with nuance and consideration for your individual tolerance and preferences.

Aspartame may allow you to enjoy foods and drinks that are conventionally off-limits while losing weight, but moderation is definitely key.

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Environment

Kia’s electric van breaks the Guinness World Record, driving 430+ miles carrying a full load

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Kia's electric van breaks the Guinness World Record, driving 430+ miles carrying a full load

Kia’s electric van, the PV5, set a new Guinness World Record after driving over 430 miles on a single charge… with its max payload.

Kia’s electric van sets a new Guinness World Record

Who said electric vans couldn’t get the job done? Kia’s electric van just broke the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled by a light-duty battery-powered electric van with maximum payload.

Powered by a 71.2 kWh battery, the Kia PV5 Cargo drove 430.84 miles (693.38 km) on a single charge. Even more impressive, it was carrying a full load. The electric van lasted nearly two days, covering 22 hours and 30 minutes of driving without charging.

Kia’s record-breaking run took place on September 30, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany, using an unmodified PV5 Cargo L2H1 model.

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The route was specifically designed to replicate real-world scenarios. Kia said the electric van covered over 36 miles (58.2 km) in the city, navigating traffic lights, intersections, and roundabouts, with typical city traffic. It also achieved an elevation gain of about 1,200 ft (370 meters).

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Kia PV5 Cargo sets new Guinness World Record

Kia’s electric van completed the loop 12 times while carrying its max payload, finally coming to a stop on the twelfth run.

“Even if Kia is new to the LCV market, this record is a testament to the versatility and innovation behind Kia’s first PBV, showing that we are serious contenders,” Kia’s European boss, Marc Hedrich, said.

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Christopher Nigemeier, Senior Engineer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, in the PV5 during the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD attempt (Source: Kia)

The fact that it ran for almost two full working days on a single charge, “speaks volumes about its real-world capabilities,” Hedrich added.

According to Kia’s internal tests, adding 220 lbs (100 kg) of payload reduces the PV5’s range by only around 1.5%.

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Marc Hedrich, President & CEO at Kia Europe (left), with Joanne Brent, GUINNESS WORLD RECORD adjudicator (right) Source: Kia

The PV5 is a midsize electric van and Kia’s first dedicated model from its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business. It’s built on Hyundai’s E-GMP.S architecture. The flexible EV platform supports several variants.

Kia currently sells the PV5 in Passenger (for personal use) and Cargo (for businesses). Over the next few years, it plans to introduce seven body types, including Light Camper, Wheelchair Accessible, and open-bed models.

The PV5 Cargo offers up to 4.4 m3 of load space and a max payload of 1,740 lbs (790 kg). It’s available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh or 71.2 kWh, with WLTP driving ranges of 184 miles and 258 miles, respectively.

Kia plans to launch additional electric vans, including the larger PV7 in 2027 and the even bigger PV9, due out around 2029.

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Technology

Palo Alto Networks debuts automated AI agents to fight cyberattacks

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Palo Alto Networks debuts automated AI agents to fight cyberattacks

Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, looks on during the closing bell at the Nasdaq Market in New York City on March 25, 2025.

Jeenah Moon | Reuters

Palo Alto Networks on Tuesday launched new artificial intelligence agents that allow customers to automate certain cybersecurity actions.

The new agents, known as Cortex AgentiX, can handle threat intelligence investigations, respond to email breaches and can be deployed across various security vendor platforms. The tools will be available starting Tuesday through several of Palo Alto’s current cloud services, and will launch as a separate platform next year.

The new AI agents are meant to meet growing demand from customers for more automated capabilities, CEO Nikesh Arora told reporters and analysts last week. Most agents, he added, will have a human middleman to review.

In the age of AI, companies are racing to find new methods to fight increasingly sophisticated and complex cyberattacks. Earlier this month, cybersecurity firm F5‘s stock dropped 10% after it said it suffered a nation-state hack.

Arora said he’s concerned that some enterprises are still “under the illusion that they are extremely secure.”

Palo Alto Networks is in the midst of a watershed shake-up as it integrates its $25 billion acquisition of Israeli identity security vendor CyberArk.

Shortly after the news broke, Arora told CNBC that the deal integrates CyberArk with Palo Alto’s AI and security aspirations.

“We look for great products, a team that can execute in the product, and we let them run it,” he said.

WATCH: AI is changing the world, cybersecurity has to keep up, says Palo Alto Networks

AI is changing the world, cybersecurity has to keep up, says Palo Alto Networks

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Politics

Trump’s Truth Social moves into prediction markets with Crypto.com

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Trump’s Truth Social moves into prediction markets with Crypto.com

Trump’s Truth Social moves into prediction markets with Crypto.com

Truth Social wants to “democratize information” for its 6.3 million users with a social media prediction platform developed in collaboration with Crypto.com.

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