The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new guideline cautioning against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) as a strategy for weight control or reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This latest recommendation stems from an extensive and systematic review of scientific evidence, which indicates that substituting free sugars with NSS does not yield significant long-term benefits in reducing body fat for either adults or children.
According to the findings, not only do non-sugar sweeteners fail to provide meaningful weight loss outcomes, but their prolonged use may also lead to adverse health consequences. The review points to a potential increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even higher mortality rates in adults over time.
“Switching from free sugars to non-sugar sweeteners does not offer sustainable help with managing body weight,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, WHO’s Director for Nutrition and Food Safety. “Instead of relying on sweeteners, individuals should explore alternative strategies to lower their free sugar intake, such as choosing foods that naturally contain sugars—like fruits—or opting for unsweetened products. Non-sugar sweeteners offer no nutritional benefit, and people should aim to reduce overall sweetness in their diet starting from an early age, in order to improve long-term health outcomes.”
The guideline covers a broad range of non-nutritive sweeteners, both synthetic and naturally derived, which are not classified as sugars. These sweeteners are often found in manufactured foods and beverages or sold separately for home use. Examples of NSS included in the guideline are acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and stevia-based derivatives.
Importantly, the recommendation does not apply to individuals with pre-existing diabetes, nor does it include personal care items like toothpaste, skincare products, or medications that may contain NSS. Also excluded are low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols (polyols), which contain calories and are thus not categorized as non-sugar sweeteners.
The WHO clarifies that the evidence linking NSS use to health risks may be influenced by certain baseline characteristics of study participants and their unique usage patterns of sweeteners. As a result, the recommendation is considered conditional—meaning that individual countries may need to evaluate and discuss its implementation within their own contexts, especially in relation to consumption patterns across different age demographics.
This guideline is part of a broader initiative by WHO to promote lifelong healthy eating behaviors, improve the overall quality of diets, and reduce the global burden of noncommunicable diseases. By discouraging excessive sweetness in diets and encouraging natural food choices, WHO aims to help populations across the world make informed decisions for better health and wellbeing.
