Are Non-Sugar Sweeteners Safe? WHO Says No

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Non-sugar sweeteners are artificial or natural substances that are used to sweeten foods and beverages without adding calories. They are often used in diet foods and drinks, as well as in some medications.

What are non-sugar sweeteners?

The WHO issued this advice based on a systematic review of the available evidence. The review found that there is no evidence that NSS are effective in helping people lose weight or reduce their risk of NCDs. In fact, the review found that there may be potential risks associated with long-term use of NSS, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

Why did WHO issue this advice?

What should I do if I'm using non-sugar sweeteners?

If you are currently using non-sugar sweeteners, the WHO recommends that you talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about whether you should continue using them. You may want to consider other ways to reduce your intake of sugar, such as eating whole fruits and vegetables and drinking water instead of sugary drinks.

What are some alternatives to non-sugar sweeteners?

There are a number of alternatives to non-sugar sweeteners that you can use to sweeten your food and drinks. Like Natural sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar, Spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, Fruit, Artificial flavors

What are the risks of using non-sugar sweeteners?

The WHO review found that there may be potential risks associated with long-term use of non-sugar sweeteners. These risks include: Increased risk of type 2 diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer, Weight gain, Irritable bowel syndrome, Headaches, Anxiety, Depression.

What are the benefits of using non-sugar sweeteners?

There are no known benefits of using non-sugar sweeteners for weight loss or reducing the risk of NCDs.

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