The agency said in a news release Monday that the recommendation is based on a systematic review of the scientific literature.
She said alternative sweeteners don’t help reduce body fat long-term, and their long-term use can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or even premature death.
The agency said the new guidelines are not seen as a recommendation to eat more real sugar, but rather address the need to reduce sugar in general in the daily diet.
“People should consider other ways to reduce added sugars, such as eating foods with natural sugars like fruit, or unsweetened foods and drinks,” says Francesco Branca, director of nutrition and food safety at the World Health Organization.
Branca added that sugar substitutes “have no nutritional value”, adding: “We need to reduce the sweetness of the diet from an early age to improve our health.”
The recommendation applies to everyone except people with prediabetes, who may continue to benefit from using sugar substitutes.
The guidelines target the “packaged sweetener” that many people add to their morning coffee or desserts in place of sugar, as well as the range of sugar substitutes that food companies are increasingly adding to foods and drinks. processed, including breads, cereals, yogurts and snacks.
Common sugar-free sweeteners named by the World Health Organization include:
Acesulfame derivatives. aspartame cyclamen. neotame. saccharin. sucralose. Stevia and its derivatives.
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