WHO Discourages Artificial Sweeteners For Weight Loss

News Desk

United Nations: “Replacing free sugars with non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) does not help with weight control in the long term. People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugar intakes, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages,” said World Health Organisation (WHO) Department of Nutrition and Food Safety Director Francesco Branca.

The WHO has released new guidance advising against the use of NSS to control weight or manage noncommunicable diseases, citing a lack of evidence that these products have any long-term benefits.

The WHO also noted that NSS use may be linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults. A study was released earlier this year that found a possible link between the popular zero-sugar sweetener erythritol and strokes, heart attacks, blood clots, and death. Common NSS include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and other stevia derivatives.

“NSS have no nutritional value and are not essential dietary components. To promote health, people should completely cut off sugar from their diets, starting early in life,” stated Francesco Branca.

Branca emphasised the lack of nutritional value of non-sugar sweeteners and advised people to generally reduce sweetness in their meals. This advice does not apply to non-sugar sweeteners found in personal care items like skin cream, toothpaste, and prescription drugs.

This WHO recommendation includes all artificial or natural sweeteners that aren’t classified as sugars in produced foods and applies to all people, with the exception of those who already have diabetes.