Though sugar alternatives might seem a safer bet, the research on their health implications suggests otherwise.
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) released guidelines advising against using nonsugar sweeteners for weight control or to lower disease risk. The recommendation was based on a review of 283 studies showing that short-term use of the sweeteners could lead to a small reduction in body weight but have no benefit with regard to other sugar-induced health issues, such as elevated blood-glucose levels.
In July 2023, the WHO labeled aspartame a possible carcinogen. And in June 2024, xylitol, a rising star among sugar substitutes, made headlines when scientists discovered that people with the highest levels of xylitol in their blood plasma had a roughly 50 percent higher risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event over three years than people with the lowest levels.
Other studies have detected links between sugar alternatives and metabolic obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
More About Sugar
Learn what you need to know about the sweet stuff’s effects on your health at “12 Common Questions About Sugar and Your Health — Answered,” from which this article was excerpted.
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