Thread: Artificial Sweeteners Increase Weight Gain?

Calorie-conscious consumers who opt for diet sodas may gain more weight than if they drank sugary drinks because of artificial sweeteners contained in the diet sodas, according to a new study.

A Purdue University study in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience reported that rats on diets containing the artificial sweetener saccharin gained more weight than rats given sugary food, casting doubt on the benefits of low-calorie sweeteners.

"There's something about diet foods that changes your metabolic limit, your brain chemistry," said ABC News' medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard.

Though Savard said more research needs to be done to uncover more information, the study does hint at the idea that the sweeteners alter a person's metabolism.

Another recent study, which included more than 18,000 people, found healthy adults who consumed at least one diet drink a day could increase their chance for weight gain.

In the Purdue study, the rats whose diets contained artificial sweeteners appeared to experience a physiological connection between sweet tastes and calories, which drove them to overeat.


Source: ABC News

I don’t agree with your post.
Tell me,How is possible?

Well according to the article, diet foods charges the metabolic limit and brain chemistry. The sweeteners alter the body's metabolism and based on the study, those who consume at least one diet drink a day could increase their chance of weight gain. This is not based on my personal opinion but on a research that was done by Purdue University study in the Journal Behavioral Neuroscience and I thought that I share them with you all so you may be informed. I take in anything with artificial sweeteners as I am allergic to it. I have difficulty breathing immediately after consuming anything with artificial sweeteners.

I still check the calorie count on low cal foods. Some of the foods and drinks that are labeled as low cal still have high calorie count. People believe that they are consuming low calorie foods so they are confident that even if they eat a lot, it's still low cal and it won't hurt their diet. That's what contributes to the weight gain. Always be careful and always check the label

I cannot consume low calorie foods or those that contain artificial sweeteners because I am allergic to it. I have difficulty breathing almost instantly so I avoid them at any cost. Besides I am not into counting calories because I make sure that I enjoy my food when I eat them . It's good to know though from a dieter that low cal foods does not really mean they contain low calorie. Thanks for the tips!

I've heard the same thing. I have to do some research on that one!

I agree. I use to live on artificial sweeteners because I thought if I didn't have the real sugar than I would be able to lose-weight. When in fact I was gaining the weight and for a long time I did not know why. My grandmother is a diabetic and lived on the sweetener aspartame and as the years went by she was having more and more problems with her health. I try to stick to everything natural these days, well as much as I can.

I hope not! I drink at least one diet energy drink a day!