Does Aperol Spritz increase the risk of cancer?
A refreshing Aperol Spritz on a cool summer evening - for some, it doesn't get any better. In social media, it is claimed at many places that the colorants of the apéritif are extremely toxic and carcinogenic. It's no wonder that such claims are misleading. A fact-check on this:
Aperol is a brand of the Campari Group. The Italian liquor is commonly used as an apéritif or in cocktails. Aperol Spritz refers to a mix of Aperol, Prosecco, and mineral water; sometimes it is also made with white wine and mineral water, thus white spritzer. Discounter often offer similar own brands.
Its distinctive orange-red color is due to the two added artificial colorants E 110 (Orange B) and E 124 (Cochineal Red A), whose base is earth oil. These so-called azo dyes are considered "controversial," as stated by the Berlin Consumer Center. They can therefore lead to pseudo-allergic reactions such as skin irritations and asthma in people who are allergic to aspirin or generally prone to allergies.
But do they increase the cancer risk? The small quantities used in food are considered harmless. Both colorants are approved food additives. According to the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), additives are only approved if certain criteria are met. Among other things, this includes the demonstration that the substance is safe for health.
Limited allowable quantities
A permission is often valid only for certain food categories and limited maximum quantities. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also set daily intake limits for E 110 and E 124: For E 110, the maximum amount is four grams per kilogram of body weight, for E 124 it is 0.7 grams. In spirits like Aperol, both colorants and others of the same category may be used in a total concentration of up to 200 milligrams per liter.
Therefore, a person with a body weight of 70 kilograms can consume up to 490 milliliters of Aperol daily without exceeding the recommended limits, according to the Consumer Center. Significant for this calculation is the assumption that up to 100 milligrams per liter may be present in Aperol. The result with about half a liter of Aperol corresponds to approximately eight glasses of Aperol Spritz.
Study situation is thin
Regarding whether and how strongly E 110 and E 124 are carcinogenic, studies have provided different results. According to the Consumer Center, for example, the cancer risk in mice increased - but only with long-term administration in high concentrations. However, other countries already take a much more restrictive approach to E 124. In the USA, for instance, the use of the food additive in food is completely banned.
Regarding E 110, experts from the Hamburg Environmental Institute refer to possible kidney tumors in animals, but they qualify this: For humans, no such connection has been proven in studies so far.
To consider in the evaluation as well is another content matter: alcohol. Experts have long considered it proven that there is a direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. This applies in particular to colon cancer and liver cancer, as it is called at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Approximately four percent of annual cancer cases in Germany can therefore be attributed directly to alcohol. In addition, there are other potential health consequences such as stroke, heart failure, alcohol addiction, and psychological disorders.
The importance of education in understanding the potential health implications of food additives like E 110 and E 124 cannot be overlooked. Misinformation on social networks about the toxicity and carcinogenic properties of these colorants in Aperol can lead to unnecessary concerns.
Regarding nutrition, it's worth noting that while studies suggest a link between alcohol consumption and an increased cancer risk, particularly for colon and liver cancer, the role of nutrition in cancer prevention and overall health is also significant. Moderate alcohol consumption and a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are often recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle.
