WHO Recommends Against Non-Sugar Sweeteners for Weight Control and Disease Prevention

Date: July 9, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new guideline advising against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) for controlling body weight and reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The recommendation is based on a comprehensive review of available evidence indicating that NSS does not offer long-term benefits in terms of reducing body fat in adults or children. Furthermore, the review highlights potential adverse effects associated with prolonged use of NSS, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults.

Francesco Branca, the WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety, emphasizes that replacing free sugars with NSS does not effectively aid weight control in the long term. Instead, individuals are encouraged to explore alternative methods of reducing free sugar intake, such as consuming foods with naturally occurring sugars, like fruits, or opting for unsweetened food and beverages. Branca further notes that NSS lack nutritional value and are not considered essential dietary factors. Therefore, reducing overall sweetness in the diet, starting from early stages of life, is vital for improving health outcomes.

The WHO recommendation applies to the general population, excluding individuals with pre-existing diabetes, and encompasses all types of non-nutritive sweeteners, whether synthetic, naturally occurring, or modified. These sweeteners are typically found in manufactured foods and beverages or sold separately for consumer use. Common examples of NSS include acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and stevia derivatives.

However, the recommendation does not extend to personal care and hygiene products that contain NSS, such as toothpaste, skin cream, and medications. It also does not encompass low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols), as these substances contain calories and are not classified as NSS.

Given that the observed link between NSS and disease outcomes may be influenced by participants' baseline characteristics and complex patterns of NSS usage, the recommendation has been assessed as conditional. This signifies that policy decisions based on this guideline may necessitate substantial discussion within specific country contexts, considering factors such as NSS consumption across different age groups.

The WHO's guideline on NSS forms part of a broader set of existing and forthcoming guidelines on healthy diets. These guidelines aim to establish lifelong healthy eating habits, improve dietary quality, and reduce the global burden of non-communicable diseases.

As the field of nutrition continues to evolve, the WHO remains committed to providing evidence-based recommendations to promote public health and well-being.