Do Diet Sodas Make You Fat?

Editor's Note:  Finally, a straight forward article on why diet sodas aren't any better for you than regular sodas when it comes to weight loss! If you're trying to lose weight and think diet sodas are the answer, think again. Jon explains...

I stumbled across this study today and, to be honest, the results did not surprise me. As a “diet sodaholic”, something I still struggle with from time to time, I can testify that diet sodas will make you fat.

This study does not cover the metabolic reasons why, so let me give you just a few. First, the body is not easily fooled. Artificial “anything”, especially sweeteners, can trigger the exact hormonal mechanisms as the real deal. In this case, the hormone insulin is often spiked by aspartame and Splenda. This leads to a greater amount of fat being stored.

That’s not all. The resulting biochemical reactions stimulates appetite. Just as any spike in insulin (or in adrenaline from caffeine) can do, these reactions will cause you to desire more food. They also blunt the appetite mechanisms that signal the brain that you are full. In short, you eat more food than you normally would.

I have seen this in myself first-hand and I discuss it in detail in Fit Over 40. No doubt about it — if you want to get leaner, can the sodas. Diet, non-diet, and anything in-between. Water is your best bet, just as this study concludes.

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San Antonio Express-News

The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions and many Americans are making efforts to side-step extra calories. They are turning to diet soft drinks — Diet Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Sprite — as their beverage of choice.

But is this a wise health choice?

Perhaps not, for according to a study by researchers at the University of Texas San Antonio, middle-aged adults who drink diet soft drinks may be drastically increasing their risks of gaining weight later on.

Diet Soda Discovery
The study monitored the weight and soda-drinking habits of more than 600 normal-weight patients aged 25-64. When researchers followed up on the patients some eight years later, they discovered:

• Participants were 65 percent more likely to be overweight if they consumed one diet soda a day compared to if they drank none.
• Two or more low- or no-calorie soft drinks raised the odds of becoming obese or overweight even higher.
• Those who drank diet soda had a greater chance of becoming overweight than participants who drank regular soda.

Finding Clarity
By itself, diet soda cannot be blamed for weight gain; however, various contributing factors may play a role.

For example, a person who drinks a diet soda may feel it’s acceptable to make up for those calories with another high-calorie food. And while the tongue is temporarily satisfied by the sweet taste of diet soda, the brain isn’t similarly fooled and still craves calories for energy. Other studies have suggested people who drink an artificially sweetened beverage before a meal will eat more high-calorie foods than those who do not.

Therefore, with diet soft drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages (even fruit juices) linked to weight gain and obesity, many people are left wondering, “What is safe to drink?”

The answer, of course, is water.

 

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Fit Over 40 isn’t just for people over 40 — it’s an invaluable training and motivational e-book that can save you years, even decades of frustration when it comes to learning what works for your body and seeing the results you want. One of the reasons I wrote the book was to save others the years of trial and error I went through as I went from obese to fit. With over 50 role models profiled, Fit Over 40 will stand the test of time for anyone interested in health, strength, fat loss, muscle, and motivation — at any age.

Jon Benson