The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned against using non-sugar sweeteners to regulate body weight or minimize the risk of noncommunicable illnesses. The suggestion was based on a review of the existing research, which revealed that using non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) does not give any long-term advantage in lowering body fat in adults or children.

The findings of these studies also suggest that the use of NSS can also be associated with potential undesirable impacts in the long run, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults.

Dr. Francesco Branca, WHO director for nutrition and food safety, stated that in the long run, replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control. However, she also advised that consuming foods with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened foods and beverages can help reduce sugar intake. She noted that people should reduce the amount of sweeteners to improve their overall health.

The official from the WHO noted that this recommendation applies to all people except those with pre-existing diabetes. They also noted that the recommendation does not involve all synthetic, naturally occurring, or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars.

Additionally, the recommendation does not apply to NSS-containing personal care and hygiene goods such as toothpaste, skin cream, pharmaceuticals, or low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols).

The WHO guideline on NSS is part of a suite of existing and upcoming healthy diet guidelines aimed at establishing lifelong healthy eating habits, improving dietary quality, and lowering the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally.

(Source: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/don-t-use-artificial-sweeteners-for-weight-loss-who-s-latest-advisory-123051601028_1.html )