Replacing sugar with sweeteners does not affect weight control in long term, WHO says

People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugars intake, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages, WHO says. Photograph: Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Replacing sugar with sweeteners does not help people manage their weight in the long term, the World Health Organization has said.

Long-term use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) could raise the risk of various health problems including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, they added.