World Health Organization Advises Against Artificial Sweeteners for Weight Loss and Health

WHO recommends focusing on natural sugars over artificial sweeteners for weight control and health improvement.
Artificial sweeteners do not help with long-term weight loss and may increase health risks like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and early death.
WHO reviewed 283 studies on artificial sweeteners and found little to no benefit for weight loss or health beyond 6-18 months of use.
Water or placebos were found to be as effective or more effective for weight loss than artificial sweeteners.
WHO's recommendation applies to most artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes added to foods, beverages or used as tabletop sweeteners.