World Health Organization warns against the use of artificial sweeteners
The World Health Organization on Monday warned against using artificial sweeteners to control body weight or reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, saying that long-term use is ineffective and could pose health risks.
These sugar alternatives, when consumed long term, do not help to reduce body fat in both adults and children. the WHO said in a recommendationadding that continued consumption could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults.
“The recommendation applies to all people except those with pre-existing diabetes and 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 by themselves for to be added to foods and drinks by consumers,” according to the WHO.
The WHO recommendation is based on a review of available evidence, the agency said, and is part of a series of healthy diet guidelines that are being rolled out.
Some examples of the sweeteners are aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia. The WHO announcement contradicts previous studies that have said that these sweeteners provide no health benefits, but also do no harm.
Nutrition research is constantly evolving and findings are updated with stronger data, said Stephanie McBurnett, a registered dietitian and nutrition educator with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Examining the effects of saturated fats and other parts of people’s diets may provide more insight into the common reasons behind some of the health problems attributed to sugar.
“I’m not surprised the World Health Organization hasn’t found a real difference in health benefits between a regular soda and a diet soda,” says Ms. Burnett, who is also a licensed dietitian and nutritionist. “They’re both processed foods.” She added, “When you look at the causes of these chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, sugar isn’t always the only factor.”
The WHO recommendation does not directly affect the policy of any individual country. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could take these guidelines into account and raise its own concerns or adjust labeling, Ms. McBurnett said. But it is also not mandatory to do so.
The FDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The WHO’s recommendation is currently considered conditional, the organization said.
“This indicates that policy decisions based on this recommendation may require substantive discussion in specific country contexts, for example in relation to levels of consumption in different age groups,” the statement said.
The recommendation does not extend to personal care and hygiene products that contain artificial sugars, such as toothpaste, skin creams and medicines, the WHO said. it also does not contain low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols, which come from sugar itself.
“People should consider other ways to reduce free sugar intake, such as consuming foods with naturally occurring sugars, such as fruit, or unsweetened foods and drinks,” said Francesco Branca, WHO’s director for nutrition and food safety. He said no-sugar sweeteners “are not essential nutritional factors and have no nutritional value. People should reduce the sweetness of the diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health.