Are sweeteners safe and why is the WHO saying to avoid them?

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a 2022 review of the evidence that most of the recommended that most people avoid these types of “non-sugar sweeteners.” . Here’s what you should know:

Which sweeteners are of concern?

The WHO says most sweeteners are problematic, both artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin, and sweeteners made from plants like stevia. An exception is sweeteners made from sugar alcohols called polyols, which do not fall under the category of “non-sugar sweeteners.”

Aren’t sweeteners supposed to help you lose weight?

The idea is that foods and drinks containing sweeteners can help reduce your sugar intake, as excessive sugar intake is associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The problem is that the evidence for this is mixed. While some short randomized trials have found that substituting sweetened drinks for full-sugar versions can reduce weight gain in children, others have shown no benefit.

Population studies tend to show that sweetener intake is correlated with increased incidence of diabetes and heart disease, which suggests that people who are naturally heavier are more likely to use sweeteners. It could be because of this, says Duane Mellor of Aston University in Birmingham, UK. “The available evidence suggests that the use of non-sugar sweeteners does not confer long-term benefits on body fat loss,” the WHO said.

What about diabetes management?

WHO said the recommendations for this group were outside the scope of its review and did not include studies in people with diabetes, so the recommendations do not apply to people who already have diabetes. That said, people with her type 2 diabetes who can get their blood sugar too high should generally limit the amount of sugar they consume.

If a sweetener doesn’t work, is it harmful?

Some studies, generally from small human or animal studies, suggest unintended harm from certain types of sweeteners. For example, last year it was found that saccharin and sucralose can raise blood sugar levels. Preliminary evidence emerged earlier this year that a common polyol sweetener called erythritol may promote blood clots, but polyols were not included in the WHO review anyway.

Such findings contradict the original assumption that sweeteners are biologically inert. Nonetheless, current official health advice in most countries states that people should choose artificial sweeteners over sugar.

So, do other people agree that we should give up sweeteners?

it’s complicated. Researchers say sweeteners are still being used despite WHO recommendations against their use. “This recommendation is a bit more nuanced in acknowledging the potential benefits of non-sugar sweeteners to support short-term weight loss if used judiciously,” said Alison Sylvetsky of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. It may have become,” he said.

You may also find it difficult to avoid sweeteners. It is not currently marketed as a diet product, and many foods and drinks contain sweeteners. This is especially true in countries such as the UK, South Africa and Portugal, where a “sugar tax” has forced beverage makers to use more sweeteners. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, says Mellor. “If you drink soft drinks, it’s better to switch to something with less sugar and more sweeteners,” he says. “But the perfect solution is to use water.”

what happened now?

Countries are not obliged to follow WHO recommendations, but WHO reports may be important in setting national policy. Due to uncertainties in the evidence, WHO says these recommendations are “conditional” and may need to be implemented differently in different countries. Thomas Saunders of King’s College London said some countries may ignore WHO guidelines. “It’s going to cause an uproar.”