The World Health Organization has issued new recommendations against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (sugar substitutes) for weight loss.

The organization said in a press release Monday that the recommendations are based on a systematic review of the scientific literature.

He said that alternative sweeteners do not help reduce body fat in the long term, and that long-term use of them can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke or premature death.

The organization pointed out that the new guidelines are not meant to be a recommendation to eat actual sugar, but rather are aimed at the need to generally reduce sugar in the daily diet.

“People should consider other ways to reduce added sugars, such as eating foods with natural sugars, such as fruit, or unsweetened foods and drinks,” Francesco Branca, director of nutrition and food security at the World Health Organization, told CNN.

Branca added that sugar substitutes “have no nutritional value” and added: “We need to reduce the sweetness of food at an early age to improve our health.”

Just as many people have learned to eat and cook without salt, Franca said, they can learn to reduce their reliance on free sugars and nutrient-poor sweeteners.

Registered dietitian Lisa Dreyer said in an article for the network CNN Even if you’re a true sugar junkie, the good news is that you can control your sweet tooth. Provides the following steps:

Train your skills. If you gradually cut back on sugar — including artificial sweeteners — and include more protein and fiber-rich foods in your diet, you may want less sugar, Dreyer said.

Consuming protein and fiber reduces blood sugar spikes when we eat them with sugary foods. “It helps us feel satisfied and reduce our sugar intake,” he said in an earlier interview.

Choose sugar-free foods and avoid all sugar-sweetened beverages.

For example, choose whole grains or Greek yogurt without sweeteners. Sugar-sweetened beverages to eliminate from your grocery list include soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices. Opt for water instead.

This recommendation applies to everyone except those with prediabetes who may continue to benefit from using sugar substitutes.

The guidelines target the “packaged sweetener” that many people add instead of sugar in their morning coffee or dessert, and the range of sugar substitutes that food companies increasingly add to breads, cereals, yogurts and processed foods and drinks. Snacks.

Common non-sugar sweeteners named by the World Health Organization include acesulfame derivatives, aspartame, cyclamate, neodame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and their derivatives.