NEW DELHI, May 16: In a new guideline, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against consuming non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) to prevent unhealthy weight gain and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases.
Various non-sugar sweeteners such as aspartame, neotame, saccharin, stevia, sucralose, and cyclamates are used in packaged food and beverages. These sweeteners are commonly sold separately and used as sugar substitutes. It is believed that they are low in calories and can help manage weight.
But, according to the WHO’s new guidelines, non-sugar sweeteners do not offer any long-term benefits in weight control for adults and children. Instead, the use of such NSS can lead to “undesirable effects” including increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in adults.
“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 intakes, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages,” said Francesco Branca, WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety.
The director added that NSS are not “essential dietary factors” and also do not have any nutritional value. He urged people to make their diet less sweet starting early in life to remain healthy. The WHO said the recommendation applies to everyone except those with pre-existing diabetes. The health agency also clarified that NSS can be used in personal care and hygiene products such as medications and skin creams. The recommendation also does not apply to low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols which are sugars or sugar derivatives with calories and do not come under NSS.
(Manas Dasgupta)