The World Health Organization  (WHO) has issued a warning against the use of artificial sweeteners. The warning leans heavily in the use of this category of sweeteners for purposes of weight reduction or management of noncommunicable diseases.

According to the global health body, there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that these products bear any meaningful benefits linked to the famed uses.

This warning agrees with Selina Wamucii’s Perspectives article that highlighted various studies that have uncovered worrying health effects of one of such sweeteners – sucralose.

The WHO warning is based on what it terms a “systematic review of the available evidence.” The available evidence has continued to indicate that non-sugar sweeteners indeed cannot help with the reduction of weight both in children and adults, among other claims of what these sugars can help achieve. 

The review also found that the use of these sweeteners can have undesirable long term effects , including increased risks for adult mortality,  type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

” People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugars intake”, said the WHO statement. Some of the ways WHO recommends include intake of unsweetened food and those with natural sugars. Fruits are a good example of foods with natural sugars.

According to the WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety, Francesco Branca, Non-Sugar Sweeteners (NSS) have no nutritional value as they are not essential dietary factors. “People should reduce the sweetness of the diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health”, she says.

Included in the warning are all forms of non-nutritive sweeteners found in manufactured foods and beverages. Where these sugars have not been classified as sugars, then they should be used in accordance with this latest guidance, meaning you need to be aware that they have no benefit in the long term as previously thought and could in fact expose you to risks. This also includes those sweeteners that are normally sold separately for use in adding to foods and beverages. Whether naturally occurring or synthetic, all non-nutritive sugars should be viewed with this warning in mind. 

Popular sweeteners that have been listed by the WHO that consumers need to take note of include sucralose, cyclamates,  neotame, saccharin, stevia, and all stevia derivatives.

Personal care products not included in the warning

The warning by WHO does not extend to personal care and hygiene products containing the non-nutritive sugars. This means you don’t have to worry if you are using products such as toothpaste or medications that are indicated to have these sugars. Low calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols) are also not included. 

The WHO also notes that different countries may choose to have extensive discussion based on these guidelines in order to arrive at decisions that mirror a country’s context. For example, a country may choose to study the extent of usage of certain artificial sweeteners and the impact so far on the population.  

This is a critical step by the World Health Organization, as there is an urgent need to guide the world on the impact of the contents of the many products that we use on a daily basis.