Neotame is a new-generation artificial sweetener that’s making its way into more food, beverages and even vape products. Although it’s been around for a while, it’s only recently gained attention due to its widespread use and potential health concerns. Structurally similar to aspartame, neotame is significantly sweeter up to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar and as much as 65 times sweeter than aspartame making it a highly potent additive that’s appealing for manufacturers and consumers alike.
Recently, neotame was detected in all 11 top-selling disposable e-cigarette brands in a laboratory study. It was not found in cartridge-based vape products like JUUL, but was prominent in popular disposables such as Elf and Geek Bars. Its inclusion in vape liquids likely owes to its high sweetness and heat stability. Unlike other sweeteners that degrade at high temperatures, neotame can endure the intense heat generated during vaping up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit while retaining enough sweetness to enhance flavor.
Beyond e-cigarettes, neotame is present in many food and drink products. It appears in items such as baked goods, yogurt, gum, candy, salad dressings, dairy desserts, and certain flavored beverages. Its use is especially attractive in processed foods and pharmaceuticals because it can mask bitter flavors and is effective in very small amounts, freeing up space for active ingredients.
Neotame was approved as a food additive in the early 2000s, and while it’s not required to be listed in vape product ingredients, it is gaining traction across various industries. Some cosmetics even use neotame to create sweet-tasting lip products. Its growing presence has prompted researchers to raise concerns about its effects, especially given the lack of information on its safety when inhaled.
One of the main health concerns centers around the gut. Studies suggest that neotame may harm gut health by damaging the intestinal lining and disrupting the balance of bacteria. It has been found to cause death in epithelial cells and trigger unhealthy changes in gut microbiota, potentially leading to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation, and even sepsis. These findings build on growing evidence linking artificial sweeteners to negative impacts on the gut microbiome.
When vaped, the concern isn’t only what happens in the lungs but also in the digestive tract. Some of the vapor can mix with saliva and be swallowed, delivering neotame to the gut. Since the sweetener is not approved for inhalation, its effects on the lungs remain largely unknown. Questions remain about how neotame impacts the lung microbiome, whether it contributes to chronic respiratory conditions, and what happens when it’s inhaled daily.
Although regulators have established acceptable daily intake levels for neotame, consumers have no way of knowing how much of the sweetener they’re ingesting or inhaling. With its growing use in both food and unregulated vape products, there’s a risk of unknowingly exceeding safe limits.
Caution is advised, especially for those who regularly consume artificial sweeteners or use disposable e-cigarettes. While limited consumption in food is generally considered safe, inhaling neotame introduces a layer of uncertainty. Without clear long-term data, it’s wise to be mindful of how and where neotame enters your body and how much of it you might be absorbing.
