Do Diet Sodas Make You Fat?

Here is a great article for you to enjoy, courtesy of my friend Jon Benson at Fit Over 40.

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 my book. 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.

FROM: 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.

The solution? Simply drink more water!

-- Jon Benson "Fit over 40"

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