WHO warns against artificial sweeteners for weight loss in new guidance

People looking to lose weight should skip sugar substitutes, according to new guidance from the World Health Organization.

The United Nations agency said Monday that a systematic review of the available evidence suggests use of non-sugar sweeteners "does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children."

It also shows there may be "potential undesirable effects" from the long-term use of these sweeteners, such as an "increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults."