The World Health Organization (WHO) published a new guideline on non-sugar sweeteners, in which it advises against their use to control body weight or reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The recommendation is based on the results of a systematic review of the available evidence, which suggests that the use of non-sugar sweeteners does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children. The results of the review also suggest that there may be possible undesirable effects of long-term uselike an older type 2 diabetes riskcardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults.
The recommendation applies to all people, except those with pre-existing diabetesand includes all synthetic and natural or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars and are found in manufactured foods and beverages, or are sold plain for consumers to add to foods and beverages. Common non-nutritive sweeteners include acesulfame-K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and stevia derivatives.
Consulted in this regard, Dr. Elizabeth Valinotti, head of the Endocrinology Service of the Social Welfare Institute (IPS) and director of the Comprehensive Diabetes Care Network, clarified that the study in question does not emphasize the use of sugar. “We will probably go back to the natural flavor of things,” he clarified.
“I think it is also a way to protect the people, the people, because ultimately these are chemicals, and it has been said that there may also be an increase in the incidence of diabetes, but it is also because there is also an increase in weight, finally it is obesity that leads to developing diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors”, he explained.
For her part, Lic. Patricia Soto, nutritionistargued in an interview with radio UNO that the stevia it’s a quintessential natural sweetenerbut that the most used is sugar, which has no health benefits.
“Everything we know as chemically made artificial sweeteners are not recommended for consumption. We indicate a non-caloric sweetener for patients with diabetes, which is why we recommend using natural stevia because it does not have preservatives. The industry began mixing stevia with other products. Going back to table sugar is not a solution either. It has to be 100% stevia composition and it does not have to have a chemical component such as Saccharin, Cyclamate, Aspartame, Acelsufame, Sucrose or sweetness“, he indicated.
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