Are you a fan of sugar substitutes? Well, the World Health Organization (WHO) has some bad news for you. According to their latest guidance, replacing sugar with non-sugar sweeteners won't actually help you lose weight in the long run. In fact, it might even increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even mortality. Yikes.

Didn't expect me?

But fear not, sweet-toothed friends! WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety, Francesco Branca, has some sage advice for us all: "People need to consider other ways to reduce free sugars intake, such as consuming food with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages." So, basically, just eat fruit instead of candy. Easy peasy.

Now, you might be wondering which artificial sweeteners are the culprits of this sugar-free deception. Well, according to WHO, it's all of them. Yes, even stevia and stevia derivatives. Sorry to burst your bubble.

But wait, there's more! A recent study found that erythritol, a zero-calorie sugar substitute used in low-carb and "keto" products, is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. So, not only will sugar substitutes not help you lose weight, they might actually kill you. Lovely.

In response to these findings, Robert Rankin of the Calorie Control Council assured us that "low- and no-calorie sweeteners like erythritol are safe." Hmm. We'll let you be the judge of that.

So, what's the bottom line? According to WHO, artificial sweeteners are "not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value." In other words, they're useless and potentially harmful. But hey, at least we've got fruit.

And if you're worried that giving up sugar substitutes means giving up all the delicious treats in life, fear not! There are plenty of ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without risking your health. For example, you could try baking with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, or experiment with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to add flavor without sugar.

And let's be real, sometimes you just need a little something sweet. In those moments, it's okay to indulge in a small treat. Just remember that moderation is key. As WHO Director Branca wisely put it, "People should reduce the sweetness of the diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health." So go ahead and enjoy that cookie, just don't eat the whole box.

In the end, the most important thing is to listen to your body and make choices that feel good and nourishing. Whether that means cutting out sugar substitutes altogether or finding a balance that works for you, the choice is yours. And who knows, maybe one day we'll look back on this era of artificial sweeteners and wonder what we were thinking. Until then, let's stick to the fruit.

In conclusion, if you're looking to lose weight, skip the sugar substitutes and stick to good old-fashioned fruit. And if you're still not convinced, just remember: sugar-free might not be worth the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or mortality. Happy snacking!