May increase the risk of heart disease and premature death
"World Health" warns: Do not use "sugar substitutes" because of their dangers
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations warning against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (sugar substitutes) for weight loss, citing potential health risks.
The organization said in a press release on Monday that the recommendation is based on a systematic review of the scientific literature.
She said alternative sweeteners don't help reduce body fat in the long term, and long-term use may increase the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, or even premature death.
The new guidelines are not a recommendation to eat more real sugar instead, but aim to reduce sugar in general in the daily diet.
Francesco Branca, director of nutrition and food safety at the World Health Organization, said: "People need to think of other ways to reduce added sugars, such as eating foods containing natural sugars such as fruit, or unsweetened foods and drinks.
Branca added that sugar substitutes "have no nutritional value", adding: "The sweetness of the diet must be reduced at an early age to improve our health."
Branca said that just as many people have learned to eat and cook without salt, they can learn to reduce their dependence on free sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners.
Registered nutritionist Lisa Dreyer said in a CNN article that even if you're a real sugar addict, the good news is that you can tame your sweet tooth. Advance the following steps:
Train your taste. Dreyer said if you gradually cut back on sugar — including artificial sweeteners — and include more protein and high-fiber foods in your diet, it may help you crave less sugar.
Consuming protein and fiber slows the rise in blood sugar if eaten with a food that contains sugar. "It can help us satisfy us and help us reduce our sugar intake as well," she said in a previous interview.
Choose sugar-free foods and avoid all sugar-sweetened beverages.
For example, choose whole grains or Greek yogurt without sweeteners. Sugar-sweetened beverages that must be removed from the grocery list should include soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices. Choose water instead.
The recommendation applies to everyone except those with pre-existing diabetes, who may continue to benefit from the use of sugar substitutes.
The guidelines target "sweetener boxes" that many add to morning coffee or sweets instead of sugar, as well as the range of sugar substitutes that food companies are increasingly adding to processed foods and beverages, including bread, cereals, dairy and snacks.
Common non-sugary sweeteners named by the World Health Organization include: acesulfame derivatives, aspartame, cyclamate, neotam, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and derivatives.