Does the sweetener aspartame, found in all sorts of foods and drinks, cause cancer? Controversy over the chemical's safety has erupted in recent weeks, even though there's little evidence to justify the concern. A new study adds fuel to the debate over the heart benefits of consuming alcohol. Why can't we figure out how booze affects our cardiovascular system? New health scares hit the headlines every week; here's an expert checklist to help you separate scares from genuine threats.

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Join guest host Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 224 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: IARC’s aspartame report echoes globally-rejected glyphosate cancer determination — Controversial organization ignores ‘back-off’ directive from WHO, US and Japan, releasing what scientists call an ‘illegitimate’ analysis

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has developed a reputation for declaring that chemicals pose a cancer hazard even when there's no evidence they harm human health. Some experts have speculated based on preliminary comments from IARC that the agency's upcoming monograph on the sweetener aspartame will conform to this pattern. Some 90 countries have authorized the use of aspartame in foods and beverages, and the FDA has conducted five reviews of the relevant research, all concluding that the sweetener poses no significant risk. "Scientific evidence has continued to support the FDA’s conclusion that aspartame is safe for the general population when made under good manufacturing practices and used under the approved conditions of use," the regulator's website notes. The stage is set for another international showdown over a benign chemical. Will the science win out?

* Alcohol is good for you, alcohol is bad for you? Here’s yet another study to fuel the debate

According to a recent study that monitored the drinking habits and heart health of thousands of people, moderate alcohol consumption (1-14 drinks per week) may lead to changes in the brain that reduce inflammation and ultimately lower a person's cardiovascular disease risk. Epidemiological studies can't demonstrate causation, so it remains to be seen if the results will hold up as additional research is performed in the coming years. Nonetheless, the study has put forward a plausible mechanism by which sipping the occasional cocktail or glass of wine may confer and import health benefit.

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