A recent guideline by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) for weight control, stating that they do not provide any long-term benefits in reducing body fat in adults or children. The systematic review of evidence suggests that higher intakes of NSS are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes when consumed in NSS-sweetened beverages or added by individuals and consumed in food and beverages.
NSS are low- or no-calorie alternatives to free sugars, marketed as an aid for weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight. They are also often recommended as an alternative for controlling blood glucose in individuals with diabetes. However, the guideline advises against using NSS as a means of reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases.
The WHO director for nutrition and food safety, Francesco Branca, advises people to reduce the sweetness of their diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health. He also urges people to consider other ways to reduce free sugar intake, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars like fruits or unsweetened food and beverages.
The guideline does not apply to low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols), which are sugars or sugar derivatives containing calories that are not considered NSS. It also does not apply to individuals with pre-existing diabetes.
Despite these recommendations, Keith Ayoob, scientific advisor at the Calorie Control Council, argues that the guideline failed to consider individuals living with diabetes, for whom NSS can have “an especially meaningful role in their compliance with necessary dietary requirements.” He adds that the WHO’s decision not to focus on the value of non-sugar sweeteners for persons with diabetes “dismisses the value and usefulness of NSS for persons living with diabetes and pre-diabetes.”
In summary, the WHO guideline advises against using NSS for weight control and as a means of reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases. To improve their overall health, people should opt for food with naturally occurring sugars like fruits or unsweetened food and beverages. Low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols are not considered NSS and the guideline does not apply to individuals with pre-existing diabetes.
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