The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has issued a warning against the long-term use of artificial sweeteners to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. According to the W.H.O., these alternatives to sugar do not reduce body fat in either adults or children, and could even increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults. Examples of artificial sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia. Nutrition research is constantly evolving and the W.H.O. recommendation is based on a review of available evidence. The International Sweeteners Association has called the W.H.O.’s recommendation a disservice to consumers, but the W.H.O. has urged people to reduce the sweetness of their diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health.
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