Diet Soda and Weight Gain

In this day and age of an ever-increasing incidence of obesity many people turn to diet soda to satisfy their craving for something sweet but without all the calories of a sugary drink. As it turns out the consumption of artificially sweetened drinks many not only end up not helping a person lose weight but also contribute to their gaining even more.

Studies on rat pups showed that those fed with artificial sweeteners craved even more calories than those who were fed real sugar. It is thought that when we taste something sweet our bodies prepare for a large calorie load. But when that load does not arrive our craving for something sweet increases and we end up eating more total calories. In a review of data spanning eight years Sharon P. Fowler MPH, a researcher at the University of Texas Health Sciences found a direct link between diet sodas and weight gain, especially in those people who drank the artificially sweetened sodas exclusively. What this means is that an occasional diet soda should not have a great impact on weight but that regular consumption will most likely lead to weight gain.

This connection between artificial sweeteners (like saccharin, sucralose, aspartame neotame and acesulfame-K) and weight gain brings up an important point that I like to make to my patients, especially those trying to lose weight. It is always best to eat real food and not fake food. It is better to eat foods that our bodies have been accustomed to for millennia, foods that are nutrient rich like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and real sugar in small amounts for those who can eat sugar. The mantra is fresh, seasonal, local, and mostly organic with moderate amounts of pasture-raised meat for those who eat meat, the more variety the better and quality over quantity.

So if you’re looking to quench your thirst reach for some water and if water is too bland for you or you’re looking for a different taste you can try squeezing some lemon juice into it or drink an herbal iced tea. It’s best to avoid reduced calorie and artificially sweetened foods. Try eating the real stuff in smaller portions. • About Dr. Savant

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