The use of artificial sweeteners to regulate body weight or lower the risk of noncommunicable illnesses is not beneficial over the long run and may be harmful to one’s health, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
Due to the lack of long-term benefits and potential risks, the WHO advises against using sugar substitutes for weight loss.
World Health Organization (WHO) Advice For Using Sugar
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its recommendations against using sugar substitutes to aid in weight loss.
According to a comprehensive analysis by the international health organization, non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) do not provide any appreciable long-term benefits in terms of lowering body fat in both adults and children.
The analysis also makes the case that extended usage of sugar replacements may have unfavorable side effects, such as a slightly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The guideline does not address the safety of taking sugar alternatives, which is an important point to remember.
It instead emphasizes the fact that using artificial sweeteners is not a successful method for losing weight or reducing dietary energy intake, despite the interest in sugar substitutes following the WHO’s 2015 guidelines on sugar intake, which suggested reducing the daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake.
The WHO advises choosing raw or lightly processed fruit as a natural source of sweetness instead of consuming as many sugar-sweetened beverages.
The advice attempts to direct government health organizations in enacting regulatory adjustments in accordance with the presented scientific findings.283 studies, including observational studies and randomized controlled trials, were examined in the review.
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Mixed Findings on Weight Loss and Health Risks
While observational studies found a low increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and death associated to heart disease, randomized trials showed a minimal influence on body weight and calorie consumption when compared to sugar.
The link between sweeteners and illness outcomes was discovered, however, it was judged conditional because of possible confounding variables.
Scientific advisors and industry organizations have reacted differently to the WHO’s recommendations.
The International Sweeteners Association expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting the advantages of low- or no-calorie sweeteners for public health, and challenging the use of observational studies’ low-certainty data.
On the other hand, nutritionists and researchers stress the significance of extensive research to show how sugar replacements affect weight loss.
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