The World Health Organization (WHO) published, this Monday (May 15), a new guideline that does not recommend the use of sweeteners for weight control. According to the entity, studies suggest that the product offers no long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children, and may even increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality.
“Replacing free sugars with sugar-free sweeteners does not help with long-term weight management. People need to consider other ways to reduce their intake of free sugars, such as consuming foods with natural sugars, such as fruit, or sugar-free foods and drinks. Sweeteners are not dietary factors and have no nutritional value,” says Francesco Branca, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO.
The recommendation applies to all persons, except individuals with pre-existing diabetes, and includes all synthetic and natural or modified non-nutritive sweeteners. Common products include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives. Personal care products that contain a sweetener, such as toothpaste, are off the list.
