Sweeteners may not help lose weight: Study

The findings of a recent The findings of a recent  study suggest that  artificial sweeteners may not help with weight loss.The research, published in the journal The BMJ, also stated that there is not enough evidence on their safety.Growing concerns about health and quality of life have encouraged many people to adopt healthier lifestyles and avoid foods rich in sugars, salt, or fat. Foods and drinks containing non-sugar sweeteners rather than regular (“free”) sugars have therefore become increasingly popular.Although several non-sugar sweeteners are approved for use, less is known about their potential benefits and harms within acceptable daily intakes because the evidence is often limited and conflicting.To better understand these potential benefits and harms, a team of European researchers analysed 56 studies comparing no intake or lower intake of non-sugar sweeteners with higher intake in healthy adults and children.Overall, the results show that, for most outcomes, there seemed to be no statistically or clinically relevant differences between those exposed to non-sugar sweeteners and those not exposed, or between different doses of non-sugar sweeteners.In children, a smaller increase in body mass index score was seen with non-sugar sweeteners compared with sugar, but intake of non-sugar sweeteners made no differences to body weight.And no good evidence of any effect of non-sugar sweeteners was found for overweight or obese adults or children actively trying to lose weight. (ANI)