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The World Health Organization on Monday warned against using artificial sweeteners to control weight or reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, saying long-term use is ineffective and could pose health risks.
This alternative to sugar, if consumed long-term, cannot reduce body fat in adults or children, the WHO said in its recommendations, adding that continued consumption can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death in adults.
“The recommendations apply to everyone except people with pre-existing diabetes and include all synthetic and natural or modified nonnutritive sweeteners not classified as sugars found in manufactured foods and beverages, or sold on their own to be added to foods and beverages . by consumers,” WHO said.
The WHO recommendations are based on a review of available evidence, the agency said, and are part of the guidelines for a healthy diet it is launching.
Some examples of sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia. The WHO’s announcement contradicts previous studies that said the sweetener does not offer health benefits but also does not cause harm.
Nutrition research continues to evolve and findings are updated with more robust data, says Stephanie McBurnett, a registered dietitian and nutrition educator with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Examining the effects of saturated fat and other parts of a person’s diet can provide more insight into the common reasons for some of the health problems blamed on sugar.
“It’s not surprising that the World Health Organization found no difference in health benefits between regular soda and diet soda,” Ms. McBurnett, who is also a dietician and nutritionist. “Both are processed foods.” He added, “If you look at what causes chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, sugar is not the only factor.”
Recommendations from the WHO do not directly affect the policies of each country. The US Food and Drug Administration, for example, could take this guidance and make its own concerns or tweak labels, Ms. McBurnett. But there is no obligation whatsoever.
The FDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The International Sweeteners Association, a non-profit organization that represents the industry, called the WHO recommendations harmful to consumers.
“Low/no-calorie sweeteners are one of the most thoroughly researched ingredients worldwide and continue to be a useful tool in the fight against obesity, diabetes and dental disease,” the association said in a statement. “They offer consumers an alternative to reducing sugar and calorie intake with the sweetness they know and want.”
WHO recommendations are currently considered conditional, the organization said.
“This is a signal that policy decisions based on this Recommendation require substantive discussion in the context of a specific country, linked for example to the extent of consumption in different age groups,” the statement said.
The recommendations do not extend to personal care and hygiene products that contain artificial sugar such as toothpaste, skin creams and medicines, the WHO said. it also excludes low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols, which are derived from sugar itself.
“People should consider other ways to reduce free sugar intake, such as consuming foods with natural sugars, such as fruit, or sugar-free foods and drinks,” said Francesco Branca, WHO director for nutrition and food security. He says that non-sugar sweeteners “are not an important dietary factor and have no nutritional value. People need to reduce sweetness from their diet altogether, from early in life, to improve their health.
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