WHO Warns | Attention WHO warns about the use of sugar free for weight loss, risk of diabetes, heart disease

New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against the use of sugar-free sweeteners to control body weight or reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. This recommendation is based on the results of a review of the available evidence that the use of sugar-free sweeteners (NSS) does not provide any long-term benefit for reducing body weight in adults or children. The WHO said the results of the review also showed that long-term use of NSS could potentially have unwanted effects such as increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and mortality in adults. Francisco Branca, WHO’s director of nutrition and food safety, said, “Using NSS in place of any type of sweetener added to a food or drink does not help with long-term weight loss. Also read People need to consider other options. For example, eating foods that contain natural sweeteners such as fruit or unsweetened foods and beverages.” “NSS are not an essential element of the diet and have no nutritional value,” Branca said in a statement. People should reduce the amount of sugar in their diet early in life to improve their health.” (agency)