(ANSA) – ROME, MAY 15 – The World Health Organization advises against the use of low-calorie or no-calorie sweeteners for weight control or to reduce the risk of disease. The recommendation is contained in the new WHO guidelines, based on a systematic review of studies which show that the use of non-sugar sweeteners “brings no long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children”. while it could lead to “potential side effects”, “such as an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults”.
The recommendation “applies to all people, except people with pre-existing diabetes, and includes all synthetic, naturally occurring or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars found in foods and beverages”, i.e. “acesulfame K , aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives”. The recommendation does not apply to personal care and hygiene products containing these substances such as toothpastes or medicines, nor to low-calorie sugars.
“Replacing free sugars with non-sugar sweeteners does not help with long-term weight control. People should consider other ways to reduce their free sugar intake, such as consuming foods with naturally occurring sugars, such as fruit, or unsweetened foods and drinks,” says Francesco Branca, WHO director for nutrition and food safety.
A first draft of the document was published by WHO in July 2022. (ANSA).
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