每日英語跟讀 Ep.K637:Artificial Sweeteners Not Effective for Weight Loss and May Pose Health Risks, Warns WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a cautionary statement highlighting that artificial sweeteners are not a solution for weight loss and might even lead to increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, and mortality. Common sugar substitutes such as stevia, aspartame, and sucralose have been deemed ineffective for sustainable weight reduction and potentially detrimental to health, based on a comprehensive review of available evidence.
世界衛生組織（WHO）發出警告聲明，強調人工甜味劑並非減重的解方，甚至可能導致增加糖尿病、心臟疾病和死亡風險。根據對現有證據的全面審查，常見的糖替代品如甜菊糖、阿斯巴甜和蔗糖素（三氯蔗糖）被認為在可持續減重方面無效，並可能有害健康。
The WHO's systematic analysis revealed that the utilization of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) does not yield long-term benefits in terms of reducing body fat for both adults and children. In addition to the lack of weight control advantages, there is a possibility of adverse consequences stemming from prolonged NSS consumption. The review notably identified a potential rise in the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and overall mortality among adults.
WHO的系統分析顯示，非糖甜味劑（NSS）的使用對於成人和兒童的體脂減少並無長期效益。除了缺乏減重優勢外，長期食用NSS還可能產生不良後果。該研究特別指出，可能會在成人中提高第二型糖尿病、心血管疾病和整體死亡風險。
Francesco Branca, the WHO's director for nutrition and food safety, emphasized that substituting sugars with artificial sweeteners does not provide a long-term remedy for weight management. He recommended exploring alternative methods to reduce sugar intake, such as consuming naturally sweetened foods like fruits or unsweetened products. Branca further emphasized that artificial sweeteners possess no nutritional value and advocated for an overall reduction in dietary sweetness to enhance health, starting from a young age.
WHO的營養與食品安全主任弗朗切斯科·布蘭卡強調，用人工甜味劑替代糖分並不能長期控制體重。他建議探索其他減少糖攝入的方法，例如食用天然甜味的食物如水果或無糖產品。布蘭卡進一步強調，人工甜味劑沒有營養價值，他主張從年輕時開始減少飲食中的甜味，以增強健康。
Recently, a substantial study in France raised concerns about a potential link between artificial sweeteners and an elevated risk of cancer. National health organizations, including Canada's, have consistently advised against the necessity and effectiveness of zero-calorie or low-calorie sugar substitutes.
最近，法國的一項大規模研究引起了有關人工甜味劑與癌症風險升高的潛在聯繫的擔憂。包括加拿大在內的國家衛生組織持續反對零卡路里或低卡路里糖替代品的必要性和有效性。
The WHO's guidelines underscore that the consumption of sugar substitutes is unnecessary for curbing sugar intake. Instead, they encourage promoting unsweetened nutritious foods and beverages. The organization discourages the consumption of synthetic and naturally occurring sweeteners not classified as sugars, spanning options like acesulfame K, aspartame, saccharin, and more.
WHO的指南強調，不需要食用糖替代品來減少糖攝入。相反，他們鼓勵推廣無糖營養豐富的食品和飲料。該組織不鼓勵食用未被歸類為糖的合成和天然甜味劑，包括安賽蜜、阿斯巴甜、糖精等。
However, the recommendations do not extend to personal care products containing NSS, nor to low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols. These sugar derivatives, while not deemed sugar substitutes due to their caloric content, are commonly present in various sugar-free products like chewing gum.
然而，這些建議不適用於含有非糖甜味劑的個人護理產品，也不適用於低卡路里糖和糖醇。這些糖衍生物由於其卡路里含量而不被視為糖替代品，但常常存在於各種無糖產品中，如口香糖。
Critics have scrutinized the new guidance, asserting that it leans heavily on observational studies that do not establish a direct correlation between sweeteners and weight management. Experts also emphasized that the WHO's advice is directed towards governments and policymakers, not individual consumers. They highlighted potential confusion arising from mixed messages, where individuals are told to avoid both sugar-sweetened beverages and artificial sweeteners.
批評家對新的指南提出質疑，主張其過分倚賴無法建立起甜味劑與減重之間直接相關性的觀察性研究。專家們還強調，WHO的建議是針對政府和政策制定者的，而不是針對個人消費者的。他們強調一般大眾可能會因為被告知既要避免含糖飲料，又要避免人工甜味劑這樣混亂的信息而產生困惑。
Reference article: https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/05/22/artificial-sweeteners-dont-help-you-lose-weight-and-may-carry-long-term-health-risks-who-w