Non-sugar sweeteners don't help with weight loss

Non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) shouldn’t be used to reduce body weight, according to newly released guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO)

- CHRISTOPH SCHWAIGER

The United Nations (UN) health agency’s report also suggested that long-term use of such sweeteners may come with health risks.

Announced on 15 May, the new recommendations are based on a systematic review of evidence. The review includes more than 280 studies of both low- and no-calorie synthetic sweeteners, like aspartame, and natural extracts, like stevia. The findings suggest that using NSS in place of sugar does not have any long-term benefits in reducing body fat in either adults or children.

The review also suggests that long-term use of these sweeteners may be linked to a slightly increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and early death from any cause in adults.