These WHO recommendations are based on evidence that sweeteners do not help with weight loss and do not reduce the risk of diseases associated with high body mass.
Numerous sugar substitutes have been created that are presented as healthy alternatives. Among them are saccharin, aspartame, and stevia. The WHO warns that long-term use of sweeteners instead of sugar will not help with weight loss and may bring with it risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Due to the fact that sweeteners are zero-calorie alternatives to sugar, they also have no nutritional value. The WHO recommends an intake of natural sugar, such as fruit and unsweetened foods and drinks. An overall reduction in sweet intake would increase the quality of life.
The recommendations apply to everyone except those with diabetes and include all types of sweeteners that are not classified as sugars and are included in foods and drinks or sold on their own. These are acesulfame, aspartame, advantame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, and stevia. Personal care products such as toothpaste, skin creams, and medicines are also excluded.
Sugar itself is not harmful. Our body processes carbohydrates into glucose, which is a type of sugar and is used by cells as an energy resource. The types of sugar we eat as food can include added sugar or natural sugar in them. Added sugar is added to heavily processed foods, such as many sweetened beverages, breads, sauces, and sweets. Naturally occurring sugar is available in naturally sweet products such as fruit and honey. They contain many nutrients useful for the body.
Sweeteners contain no added sugar and have no caloric value. They are as sweet as sugar, but are supposed to be without its harmful effects and can be used to regulate blood sugar levels and body weight. However, some studies point to a link between the intake of sweeteners and increased insulin resistance, which is a prerequisite for type 2 diabetes.