Results of two studies presented at the American Diabetes Association's 71st Scientific Sessions last week described risks of consuming diet soft drinks.The first study found that users of diet soda, on average, experienced a 70% greater increase in waist size compared with non-users. Those with the greatest consumption - two or more diet sodas a day - experienced waist size increases that were 500% greater (5 times greater) than those of non-users:
Diet Soft Drink Consumption Is Associated With Increased Waist Circumference In The San Antonio Longitudinal Study Of Aging
There were 474 participants, aged 65 to 74, who were followed for approximately 9.5 years. To lessen the effect of confounders, results were adjusted for gender, age, beginning waist circumference, diabetes and smoking status, education, ethnicity, leisure-time activity, neighborhood, and length of follow-up.
The authors concluded:
“The promotion of diet sodas as healthy alternatives [to sugar-sweetened drinks] may be ill-advised: they may be free of calories, but not of consequences.”The second study found a link between artificial sweetener consumption and blood glucose in mice:
Aspartame Consumption Is Associated With Elevated Fasting Glucose In Diabetes-Prone Mice
After three months of eating aspartame-spiked chow, mice had higher fasting glucose levels (144 vs. 105 mg/dl) and lower insulin levels than control mice.
As to mechanism, Sharon Fowler, coauthor of both studies, said in an interview with the Daily Mail:
"Artificial sweeteners could have the effect of triggering appetite but unlike regular sugars they don’t deliver something that will squelch the appetite."It was noted that artificial sweeteners may also damage or inhibit brain cells that are involved in feelings of satiety.
