Artificial sweeteners may not help with weight loss, WHO advises
The World Health Organization issued new guidance warning against using artificial sweeteners to reduce body weight or the risk of noncommunicable diseases, claiming that long-term consumption is ineffective and could pose health risks, The New York Times reported.
A systematic review of available studies suggests that using non-sugar sweeteners "does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children," the WHO posited in its recommendation. The organization also found evidence that prolonged consumption of alternative sweeteners could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and death in adults.
The new guidelines apply to all individuals except those with pre-existing diabetes, and include "all synthetic and naturally occurring or modified nonnutritive 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 WHO said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The list of sugar substitutes includes aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and stevia. The latest recommendations contradict previous studies that said "these sweeteners don't offer any health benefits but also do not cause harm," the Times explained.
People should consider alternatives to reducing sugar intake "such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages," said Francesco Branca, the WHO director for nutrition and food safety. Non-sugar sweeteners "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."
The International Sweeteners Association, an organization representing the industry, defended low/no calorie sweeteners as "a helpful tool to manage obesity, diabetes, and dental diseases" and called the WHO's recommendation a "disservice" to consumers. The industry association "is disappointed that the WHO's conclusions are largely based on low certainty evidence from observational studies, which are at high risk of reverse causality," it said, per an emailed statement to CNN.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.
-
Gary Townsend's slow braised Moroccan spiced lamb shoulder
Recipe This melt-in-the-mouth lamb is bursting with vibrant flavours
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Flame retardants found in black plastics could have health consequences
Under the Radar Time to replace your kitchen tools
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: October 17, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
4 tips for coping with election anxiety and stress
The Week Recommends Election news is hard to circumvent. But navigating the politically charged season does not have to be stressful.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Mold, bugs at listeria-linked Boar's Head meat plant
Speed Read Food safety inspectors reported many violations at a Virginia plant that has been linked to a nationwide deli meat recall
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Should we be worried about declining birth rates?
Talking Points Baby boom or bust
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
WHO declares mpox a global health emergency
Speed Read An outbreak of the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox continues to spread in Africa
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for combatting workplace loneliness
The Week Recommends Feeling left out at work? You're not alone.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Study links high cholesterol to dementia
Speed Read It has been added to a list of 12 previously known risk factors including depression, smoking and loneliness
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Neurocosmetics: the beauty trend blending mental health and skin care
The Explainer Could a moisturizer really shift your mood?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Rapamycin: the popular drug for longevity among biohackers
Under the Radar Living longer may be getting easier
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published