OUR WHERE claims that the use of sweeteners without sugar (NSS), “provides no long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

Sugar-free sweeteners are widely used as an ingredient in prepackaged foods and drinks, and are sometimes added directly to foods and drinks by consumers.

“Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with long-term weight control. People should consider other ways to reduce their intake of free sugars, such as eating foods with natural sugars, such as fruit, or sugar-free foods and drinks,” said Francesco Branca, WHO Director of Nutrition and Food Safety.

“NSSs are not important nutritional factors and have no nutritional value. “People should completely reduce the amount of sweeteners in their diet starting at an early age to improve their health,” he added.

The review also found that there may be “potential side effects” from long-term use of sugar substitutes, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

WHO recommendations refer to low or no calorie synthetic sweeteners and natural extracts that may be chemically modified, such as acesulfame potassium, aspartame, avantame, cyclamic acid, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and stevia derivatives.

The agency emphasizes that its recommendation applies to all people except those who already have diabetes.

According to the Guardian

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