The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued new guidance on the use of artificial sweeteners in weight loss programs, stating that they do not provide any long-term benefits in reducing body fat. The body also warned of the potential undesirable effects that could arise from the long-term use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
WHO’s director for nutrition and food safety, Francesco Branca, said that NSS are not essential and have no nutritional value, recommending instead that people should reduce their sugar intake altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health. The guidance applies to all people except those with preexisting diabetes. The organization conducted a systematic review of 283 studies, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Findings from the randomized trials suggest that the impact of non-sugar sweeteners on reducing body weight and calorie intake is low when compared to sugar, and there were no changes in intermediate markers of diabetes.
The observational studies found a low impact on body weight and fat tissue, but an increase in risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and death from heart disease. The International Sweeteners Association, an industry association, criticized the WHO’s conclusions, stating that the public health benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners are being ignored. WHO’s recommendation included low or no calorie synthetic sweeteners and natural extracts, which may or may not be chemically modified, such as acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives. Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer says that people can tame their sweet tooth by gradually cutting back on sugar, choosing no-sugar-added foods, drinking coffee and tea with no or fewer sugars, and checking nutrition facts labels to avoid added sugars.