The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against using artificial sweeteners to help with weight loss in new guidance.
Using non-sugar sweeteners instead of the real stuff "does not help" with weight loss, the public health agency states, adding that consumption could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
New guidance on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), following a systemic review of existing evidence, suggests using them in place of real sugar has no real benefit in reducing body fat. Non-sugar sweeteners are man made, have no nutritional value and are present in most diet foods to produce the sweet flavour with less calories.
While a popular alternative to real sugar among slimmers, health officials now recommend avoiding them altogether, instead advising to reduce sugar intake or seek it in naturally sweet foods like fruit.
"Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control in the long term. 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,” says Francesco Branca, WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety.
"NSS 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."
Common NSS examples to look out for on food packets include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives. Certain types of NSS are present in some products like toothpaste and medication, which the recommendation does not apply to.
Results also showed that NSS consumption may boost risks of health issues like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and adult mortality. However, WHO states that its recommendation for this area is conditional and requires further discussion.
In recent years, many common weight loss tips and tricks have been dispelled by experts. In fact, diet guru Michael Mosley previously advised to opt for full-fat dairy options instead of low-fat versions, which are full of these sweeteners and have little health benefits.
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