The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidance recommending against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence, which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.
The review also warns of potential undesirable effects from long-term use of NSS, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults.
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‘No nutritional value’
The recommendation applies to all individuals except those with pre-existing diabetes. It includes all synthetic and naturally occurring or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars found in manufactured foods and beverages, or sold on their own to be added to foods and beverages by consumers.
The guidance does not apply to personal care and hygiene products containing NSS, such as toothpaste. Nor does it apply to low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols), which are sugars or sugar derivatives containing calories and are therefore not considered NSS.
Common NSS include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives.
Francesco Branca is WHO director for nutrition and food safety. ‘Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control in the long term,’ he said.
‘People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugars intake, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages.
‘NSS are not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value. People should reduce the sweetness of the diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health.’
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