### WHO's Stance on Non-Sugar Sweeteners for Weight Loss The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently advised against the use of non-sugar sweeteners for people trying to lose weight. According to a new report, there is no evidence that these sugar substitutes help reduce body fat in the long term. In fact, they may even increase the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Non-sugar sweeteners are commonly added to beverages and packaged foods by manufacturers, and consumers often add them directly to foods and drinks like tea or coffee. The WHO's new guidelines specifically mention synthetic and naturally occurring or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars. These include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and stevia derivatives. Francesco Branca, MD, PhD, director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO, stated that replacing free sugars with non-sugar sweeteners does not help with long-term weight control. He suggests that people should consider other ways to reduce their intake of free sugars, such as consuming foods with naturally occurring sugars like fruits, or opting for unsweetened foods and beverages. Branca emphasized that non-sugar sweeteners are not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value. He recommended reducing the overall sweetness of the diet, starting from an early age, to improve health. According to WHO, four out of ten people worldwide are overweight or obese. Both WHO and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend that people get less than 10% of their daily calories from sugar. Many people use sugar substitutes to sweeten their drinks and food while still adhering to this guideline. However, the most recent U.S. dietary guidelines, published in 2020, note that while replacing added sugars with low- and no-calorie sweeteners may reduce calorie intake in the short term and aid in weight management, questions remain about their effectiveness as a long-term weight management strategy. It's important to note that the new WHO recommendation does not apply to people who already have diabetes and use non-sugar sweeteners to manage their blood sugar levels. Advising people with diabetes on the use of sweeteners is beyond the scope of the new recommendation. ###