GENEVA: Artificial sweeteners, used to replace sugar in a vast range of products, do not help in losing weight and can have serious health effects, according to the World Health Organization.

The United Nations’ health agency released new guidelines on Monday advising against using so-called non-sugar sweeteners or NSS.

A systematic review of available evidence “suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children”, the WHO said.