Are artificial sweeteners harmful for your health? Here’s what the WHO has recommended

Source: The post is based on the article “Are artificial sweeteners harmful for your health? Here’s what the WHO has recommended” published in Indian Express on 18th May 2023

What is the News?

The World Health Organisation has recommended against using artificial sweeteners to achieve weight loss and prevent lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.

What are Artificial Sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners provide a sweet taste with very little to no calories. 

Many diabetics use sweeteners in their tea and coffee, but there is a growing market for packaged foods and beverages using these sweeteners to offer low-calorie options.

What has the WHO said about the use of Artificial Sweeteners?

WHO has said that artificial sweeteners should not be used as a means of achieving weight control or reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Due to the use of artificial sweeteners, there could be some weight loss and reduction in Body Mass Index in the short term but in the long run, they have been linked to weight gain.

The sweeteners have also been linked to an increased risk of Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in the long run. 

Some low-certainty data also linked the use of such artificial sweeteners to bladder cancer and preterm birth when consumed by pregnant women.

Note: The WHO has made these recommendations for everyone other than those who are already diabetic.