Diet Soda and Weight Gain

The link between diet soda and weight gain was documented in a study done in 2005. It showed that those who drink diet sodas don't lose weight, they gain weight.

It was an eight year study done by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center. They reported their findings at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association.

Researchers found that most of the obesity risk from soft drinks, came from diet sodas.

There were 1,550 people studied between 25 and 64 years old. Of those, over 600 were within their normal weight at the start of the study. Almost a third of those gained weight by the end.

Here's their comparison of regular soda vs diet soda and weight gain.

Regular Soda:

26% gain for up to 1/2 can daily

30% gain for 1/2 to 1 can daily

37% gain for 1-2 cans daily

47% gain for over 2 cans daily


Diet Soda:

36% gain for up to 1/2 can daily

37% gain for 1/2 to 1 can daily

54% gain for 1-2 cans daily

57% gain for over 2 cans daily


For EACH CAN of diet soda consumed each day, a person's risk of obesity went up over 40%! Diet soda is now being linked to a whole host of illnesses including heart disease.

In many sodas, phosphorous is used for carbonation. Adding phosphorous leaches calcium from bone. This has been known for over 15 years!

It's not just diet sodas that lead to weight gain, it's diet anything. Compare a bottle of regular ranch dressing to a diet ranch dressing. They reduce the fat...and add sugar! Compare any regular food item with any diet food item and you'll find amazing things. Remember, keep it simple. The less processed the food, the better it is for you.

If you don't like water (your body does, but unfortunately your brain rules), click here for another story: Water vs Soda

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