A Closer Look at Non-Sugar Sweeteners

Non-sugar sweeteners, also referred to as sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners, are substances utilized in place of traditional sugar to provide sweetness in food and drinks. They are commonly used by individuals aiming to reduce weight or manage their blood sugar levels.

• Non-sugar sweeteners can be mainly categorized into two types: artificial sweeteners and natural sweeteners.
• Artificial Sweeteners:
  • These are chemically constructed compounds that bring sweetness without the calorie content of traditional sugar.
  • Some well-known examples are cyclamate, neotame, alitame, and advantame.
  • These sweeteners are extremely sweet, often hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, hence, only small quantities are needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
• Natural Sweeteners:
  • These sweeteners are sourced from plants and serve as alternatives to sugar.
  • Examples include yacon syrup, derived from the yacon plant, and agave nectar, obtained from the agave plant.
  • These sweeteners offer a sweet taste with minimal or zero calories and are considered "natural" because they are plant-based.

The WHO's Guidelines on Non-Sugar Sweeteners

The guidelines, formulated after a thorough review of available data, revealed that non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) do not present any significant benefits in terms of long-term weight reduction in adults or children.

• The review further suggested that prolonged use of NSS might potentially lead to adverse effects, including a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and increased mortality in adults.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends individuals to cut down on their intake of free sugars, including added sugars and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices.
• It is instead suggested to consume foods containing naturally occurring sugars, like fruits, or to choose unsweetened food and beverages.
• These guidelines form part of a series of existing and forthcoming guidelines on healthy diets.
• The aim is to promote healthy eating habits throughout a person’s life, enhance the quality of the diet, and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide.