Study: Sugar Substitutes Make You Fatter
posted 4:48 pm Mon February 11, 2008 -
Some medical experts say as little as a can of diet soda a day can increase the risk of health problems and weight gain by 30-40%. Laurel Conger recently lost 70 pounds, but found one of her weight-loss challenges was the diet soda she drank. It made her reach for fattening foods. "Even candies and stuff like that, so I've tried to get away from it. Being off diet soda, only for a few weeks or a few months now, it's really helped."
Congers' story mimics the results of a new Purdue University study. It found rats on a diet containing the artificial sweetener saccharin gained more weight than rats given sugary food.
Another recent study found healthy adults who down one diet drink a day could increase their chance for weight gain. Self-professed slender people disagree. "They're totally wrong!" Another said, "So I could be gaining weight right now? I'm ok! Haha."Diet soda drinker Jim Carlisle doesn't buy either study. "If you control what you eat, you can eat candy bars if you want, but you can only eat so much. You have to eat in moderation."
The rat study is enough for one man trying to kick his two-liter of soda a day habit. "That's bad news. I might start drinking H2O a little bit more. Go a little natural on that," said Peter Oistid.
A reduced-fat food and drink industry group disagrees with the Purdue study. The Calorie Control Council points out past studies that show low-calorie sweeteners help you lose weight. Doctors say it's unclear if the study results go beyond diet drinks.
Latest Comment on Study: Sugar Substitutes Make You Fatter
Xman
1:50 pm on 02/12/08
Well said Ronnie C. Sugar actually satisfies hunger - to a certain extent. A diabetic I know claims: to keep from overheating, one should eat half of your desert first, before eating a meal. This will get your internal digestion working and glucose will build up in your blood early and tell the brain sooner that you are full. When eating out, don't finish everything. Rather take the remainder home for your next meal. Best wishes to everyone trying to loose weight - It is a challange.
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