Turns Out, Diet Soda May Actually Make You Gain Weight — Eat This Not That

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By Ghuman

Introduction

If you’re trying to lose weight, you may have turned to diet soda as a way to cut calories. But turns out, diet soda may actually make you gain weight. Studies have shown that people who drink diet soda are more likely to be overweight or obese than those who don’t. In this article, we’ll explore why diet soda may be making you gain weight and what you can do to avoid it. We’ll also provide some healthier alternatives to diet soda that can help you reach your weight loss goals. So if you’re looking to shed some pounds, read on to find out how diet soda may be sabotaging your efforts.

Turns Out, Diet Soda May Actually Make You Gain Weight

It’s no secret that sugary drinks are bad for your health, but what about diet soda? It’s marketed as a healthier alternative to regular soda, but recent studies suggest that it may actually be worse for you than its sugary counterpart.

A study published in the journal Obesity found that people who drank diet soda were more likely to gain weight than those who drank regular soda. The researchers found that people who drank diet soda gained an average of 3.2 pounds over nine years, while those who drank regular soda gained an average of 1.9 pounds.

The researchers believe that the artificial sweeteners used in diet soda may be to blame. They believe that these sweeteners may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate its energy balance, leading to weight gain.

So if you’re trying to lose weight, it may be best to avoid diet soda altogether. Instead, opt for water or unsweetened tea or coffee. These drinks are calorie-free and can help you stay hydrated without adding extra calories to your diet.

Eat This Not That

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to diet soda, try these options instead:

  • Water: Water is the best choice for hydration and it’s calorie-free.
  • Unsweetened tea or coffee: These drinks are also calorie-free and can help you stay alert and focused.
  • Sparkling water: If you’re looking for something with a bit of flavor, try sparkling water. It’s calorie-free and comes in a variety of flavors.
  • Fruit-infused water: If you’re looking for something with a bit more flavor, try infusing your water with fresh fruit. This is a great way to add flavor without adding calories.

By avoiding diet soda and opting for healthier alternatives, you can help keep your weight in check and stay healthy.

If you’re one of the 40% of people who’ve been substituting sweeteners for sugar—specifically, drinking diet soda instead of regular—new brain science reveals this could be producing the exact opposite effect from what you want. A riveting recent study has identified a link between diet soda and calorie intake… and the scientific explanation is likely to make you think.

Keep reading to learn about this study that focused on diet soda and weight gain, recently published in the journal of Nutrition, Obesity, and Exercise. (Sometimes it helps to remember you don’t have to sacrifice wholesome, healthy foods in the quest to get trimmer—check out the 45+ Best Cozy Casserole Recipes for Weight Loss.)

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Led by a group of researchers studying neuroscience, obesity, and medicine at the University of Southern California, this study engaged 74 healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. Participants’ body mass index (BMI) was used to determine whether they were of normal weight, overweight, or obese.

The researchers report their objective was to “examine neural reactivity to different types of high-calorie food cues (i.e., sweet and savory), metabolic responses, and eating behavior” after some of the participants consumed sucralose (an artificial sweetener), while others consumed a sugary drink and another group drank only water.

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Between March 2020 and March 2021, the participants reported three times for the research team to collect their data. The participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and had their blood taken at baseline after a 12-hour fast, as well as 10, 35, and 120 minutes after they received one of three beverages: A drink containing sugar (approximately six tablespoons diluted in 10 ounces of water that provided 300 calories), artificial sweetener (of an amount whose sweetness was equal to the sugar, also dropped into 10 ounces of water), or plain water.

Then, the researcher report they measured participants’ levels of glucose, insulin, ghrelin (known as the hormone that stimulates hunger), and leptin (a hormone that regulates food intake and energy expenditure).

At that point, the researchers presented the participants with a buffet meal that they were invited to enjoy freely.

RELATED: Everyday Habits That Cause Obesity, Says Science

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, sugar drinks were associated with greater production of glucose (blood sugar), insulin, and hormone levels that indicated a more satiated appetite.

Interestingly, the results show that calorie consumption increased significantly among female participants, and those who were obese, when they’d been part of the diet drink-consuming group.

RELATED: The Final Verdict on Adding Lemon Juice to Your Coffee for Weight Loss, Says Dietitian

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The researchers state that females had “greater caloric intake after the sucralose vs sucrose condition”—meaning overall, the women who drank artificial sweetener ate more than those who’d consumed the sugary drink.

Some observers are concluding that may indicate artificial sweeteners stimulate the brain to crave more food than sugar drinks do. Indeed, this study’s findings could suggest that if diet soda is a regular player in your diet, it’s possible that’s leading you to consume more calories than you would if you stuck with water… and perhaps more calories than you believe you’re taking in.

But, one important note the researchers make is that “neither male participants nor female participants fully compensated for the sucrose drink condition caloric preload.” This statement makes an important point: It seems the group who drank the sugar beverages still consumed the greatest calories overall.

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