WHO Warns Everyone to Stop Using Sweeteners

The World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS).

The WHO recommends against the use of NSS to reduce body weight.

NSS include artificial sweeteners like those found in soft drinks and are also available in grocery stores and restaurants.

According to the news release from the WHO:

The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children. Results of the review also suggest that there may be potential undesirable effects from long-term use of NSS, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults. The recommendation does not apply to personal care and hygiene products containing NSS, such as toothpaste, skin cream, and medications, or to low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols), which are sugars or sugar derivatives containing calories and are therefore not considered NSS.

The CDC warns about all types of added sugars especially in sugary drinks. According to the CDC, people who often drink sugary drinks are more likely to face health problems, such as weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis.

The latest CDC guidelines recommend that people 2 years and older keep their intake of added sugars to less than 10% of their total daily calories.8 For example, in a 2,000 calorie diet, no more than 200 calories should come from added sugars. Two hundred calories is about 12 teaspoons of added sugar in food and beverages combined. A 12-ounce regular soda has more than 10 teaspoons of added sugar, adding up to about total 150 calories. CDC research found about 30% of Americans ages two and older eat and drink high amounts of added sugar each day. Cutting out 2 regular sodas per day would reduce total calories by 2,100 in a week.