The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against the use of artificial sweeteners to reduce body weight or defend the risk of non-communicable diseases. In its latest guideline, based on the results of a systematic review of available evidence, the United Nations health body states the use of sugar-free sweeteners (NSS), also called artificial sweeteners, confer no long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.
The WHO guideline states that the results of the review of available evidence also suggest that there may be potential adverse effects associated with long-term use of NSS, such as an increased risk of type 1 diabetes. 2, cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults. “Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with long-term weight control. People should consider other ways to reduce their intake of free sugars, such as eating foods that contain natural sugars, such as fruits , or unsweetened foods and beverages”, Francesco BrancaWHO director for nutrition and food security, said in a statement.
The recommendation applies to all people except people with pre-existing diabetes, and includes all synthetic and natural or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars found in manufactured foods and beverages, or sold alone to be added to food. and drinks by consumers, according to the WHO.
Common NSSs include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives. TOI recently reported on a study published in the journal Nature Medicine that warned of the potential long-term risks of using artificial sweeteners as a sugar substitute.
The study claimed that erythritola popular artificial sweetener widely available in India and abroad under various brand names, has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
“Sweeteners like erythritol have grown in popularity in recent years, but more research is needed on their long-term effects,” the lead author said. Stanley Hazen, chairman of the department of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at the Cleveland Clinic, USA. “Cardiovascular disease develops over time and heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. We need to make sure the foods we eat are not hidden contributors,” he added.
The WHO guideline states that the results of the review of available evidence also suggest that there may be potential adverse effects associated with long-term use of NSS, such as an increased risk of type 1 diabetes. 2, cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults. “Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with long-term weight control. People should consider other ways to reduce their intake of free sugars, such as eating foods that contain natural sugars, such as fruits , or unsweetened foods and beverages”, Francesco BrancaWHO director for nutrition and food security, said in a statement.
The recommendation applies to all people except people with pre-existing diabetes, and includes all synthetic and natural or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars found in manufactured foods and beverages, or sold alone to be added to food. and drinks by consumers, according to the WHO.
Common NSSs include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives. TOI recently reported on a study published in the journal Nature Medicine that warned of the potential long-term risks of using artificial sweeteners as a sugar substitute.
The study claimed that erythritola popular artificial sweetener widely available in India and abroad under various brand names, has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
“Sweeteners like erythritol have grown in popularity in recent years, but more research is needed on their long-term effects,” the lead author said. Stanley Hazen, chairman of the department of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at the Cleveland Clinic, USA. “Cardiovascular disease develops over time and heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. We need to make sure the foods we eat are not hidden contributors,” he added.
