It is an indisputable fact that has been determined many years ago that sugar is not very beneficial for human health. However, some people use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. While these artificial sweeteners sometimes appear as natural ingredients, sometimes they are created by synthesizing ingredients that give very little energy, unlike sugar. It is also believed that common artificial sweeteners are not as unhealthy as sugar and may even aid weight loss.
However, this belief turned out to be false. The World Health Organization reviewed nearly 200 studies of artificial sweeteners one by one and said that “sugar-free sweeteners should not be used as a means of achieving weight control or reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.” Because the conclusion drawn from around 200 studies was that artificial sweeteners were not as effective as described in weight loss.
Artificial sweetener makes you only 1 kilogram lighter, increases diabetes risk
As a result of the researches examined by the World Health Organization, the following conclusions were reached:
- Those who used artificial sweeteners were only 0.71 kilograms lighter than those who did not.
- Those who used artificial sweeteners had a 76 percent higher risk of developing obesity than others.
- Those who used artificial sweeteners were 23 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. This rate rose to 34 percent if artificial sweetener was also included in meals and beverages.
- The use of artificial sweeteners by an individual diagnosed with diabetes had no positive or negative effects on their health.
- No link was found between the use of artificial sweeteners and cancer.
- 13-year follow-up of individuals showed that the use of high amounts of artificial sweeteners increased the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death.
It should be noted that the statement made by the World Health Organization is advisory. So there is no reason to ban the use of artificial sweeteners or for people to stay away from them 100 percent. In addition, WHO stated that the quality of the studies it reviewed was in the category of “low or very low certainty”. So we don’t have to be hostile to artificial sweeteners. At least for now…
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