Diet drinks and sweeteners may contribute to weight gain

**ckn** · September 3rd, 2009, 06:46 AM

A very interesting Telegraph article

Quote:

Artificial sweeteners 'do nothing to help weight loss'
Artificial sweeteners do nothing to help weight loss as our bodies cannot distinguish between them and sugar, according to new research.

By Chris Irvine
Published: 7:00AM BST 03 Sep 2009

Professor Soraya Shirazi-Beechey, from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool, found that a sweet taste receptor, present in the taste cells of the gut, allows humans and animals to detect glucose within the intestine.

Artificial sweeteners behave in a similar way to sugar however, and activate the sensors in the gut key to glucose absorption.

The receptor also detects artificial sweeteners in foods and drinks, resulting in increased intestinal intake of dietary sugars. This could explain why artificial sweeteners are unsuccessful at helping people lose weight, and sometimes result in weight gain.

Professor Shirazi-Beechey said: "If someone wants to lose weight, I don’t think artificial sweeteners are going to help.

"My recommendation is to eat natural foods, but to eat less of them."

Prof Shirazi-Beechey said: "Artificial sweeteners can also activate the glucose sensor and increase the capacity of the intestine to absorb more sugar.

"You drink diet cola to stay slim but the reverse is true, because the artificial sweeteners can activate the sensor, so you are taking more glucose from your diet."

Prof Shirazi-Beechey's research can be seen at an exhibition at the Food Museum in Switzerland. The exhibition, called Research Food – a Dialogue, looks at food history, science and technologies.

**mukey** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:28 AM

I usually have a diet soda at work in between meals, do you think it would still affect me a couple hours later when I was to eat again?

**pliny_2001** · September 3rd, 2009, 09:20 AM

I've never heard of a study that shows replacing sugar sodas with diet sodas helps you lose weight (and if there were one, the diet soda makers would be publicizing the hell out of it, so I'm willing to say one doesn't exist). So regardless of zero-calorie claims, I've always said that diet is just as bad weight-wise, and probably worse ingredient-wise.

Nice to see how that may scientifically true as well.

**mukey** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:09 PM

I'm not trying to lose weight by drinking them, but sometimes it is nice to drink something with some flavor and no calories other than water.

**mooshue** · September 4th, 2009, 03:22 PM

it is believed that the citric acid, sugar alcohol, asparmtme, etc.. all those artificial sweetners cause liver metabolism to slow down drastic enough to cause gain.
The real problem is moderation. Americans can not control themselves with just a moderate amount of anything. That idiotic super sized mentality is what is making everyone fat.

**ckn** · September 4th, 2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooshue

it is believed that the citric acid, sugar alcohol, asparmtme, etc.. all those artificial sweetners cause liver metabolism to slow down drastic enough to cause gain.
The real problem is moderation. Americans can not control themselves with just a moderate amount of anything. That idiotic super sized mentality is what is making everyone fat.

I'm sure most of us have seen a morbidly obese person order a disgraceful quantity of food at a fast food place then have a diet coke with it as if it somehow mitigates the food intake. Now research like this just shows that the diet coke will actually help them pile on more pounds.

**mooshue** · September 4th, 2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckn

I'm sure most of us have seen a morbidly obese person order a disgraceful quantity of food at a fast food place then have a diet coke with it as if it somehow mitigates the food intake. Now research like this just shows that the diet coke will actually help them pile on more pounds.

and thus the need for the fat tax. You choose to be fat, we tax your fat ass to pay for your OWN healthcare.

**mukey** · September 4th, 2009, 06:21 PM

Or you choose to be fat, you pay for your OWN health care. Instead of everyone else.

**mooshue** · September 4th, 2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mukey

Or you choose to be fat, you pay for your OWN health care. Instead of everyone else.

getting a little off topic now to healthcare, but i sort of agree. The fat tax should be implemented. I know they cant call it fatass and have to be politically correct, but they tax the shit out of cigarettes and those are known health danger inducing agents, just like excessive eating of garbage is.

Paying for own health care though thats not always feasable. Insurance is absolutely insane amounts of money per month with hardly any coverage included.
With Lawyers and everyone being sue happy now, medmal payouts, pharma drug related incidents and recalls, its only going to get more expensive.
A business has to make money, so if insurance is paying out a ton to cover what i listed above, then it has to raise rates, in turn dr's raise fee's to pay for raised rates, thus people can no longer afford health care or insurance so they say fuck it, ssd, ssi, etc.. is the only option.

**Insex** · September 8th, 2009, 05:57 AM

My definition of health care:

To take care of one's own health through proper nutritional intake and Caloric expenditure.

I don't know about most Americans, but if I ran the country, I'd sign a bill that makes gym memberships tax deductible. That way, Americans could prevent diseases and live healthy lives, instead of living unhealthy lives and treating diseases while relying on more government programs.

ptrper · September 8th, 2009, 09:59 AM

I agree with you on that one Insex, however, I'm lucky enough to work for a company that reimburses us for gym memberships. It doesn't cover the whole cost, but it definitely helps to offset it.

**tidalwave** · September 8th, 2009, 11:22 AM

I can't recall ever seeing a 'fit' person drinking diet soft drinks.

**mooshue** · September 8th, 2009, 12:52 PM

i find it hillarious that people can not "find the money" for a gym membership. A single person pays $20/mo at golds and at lvac here in las vegas. I pay an extra $10/mo for my son to be allowed to use their playground while i workout. Seriously, you can not spend $20/mo ? stop eating fucking mcdonalds every meal and maybe you can find $20.

While that reimbursement idea is nice, it really isn't necessary.

**SAINT_X** · September 8th, 2009, 02:16 PM

My company reimburses...

**its1** · September 8th, 2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insex

My definition of health care:

To take care of one's own health through proper nutritional intake and Caloric expenditure.

I don't know about most Americans, but if I ran the country, I'd sign a bill that makes gym memberships tax deductible. That way, Americans could prevent diseases and live healthy lives, instead of living unhealthy lives and treating diseases while relying on more government programs.

From what I hear companies get a break in Medical coverage cost for their employees if they have an on site gym or discounts to another gym. That is why the company I work for has an on site gym.

**SAINT_X** · September 8th, 2009, 02:27 PM

On site gym would be awesome...better than reimbursement for sure.

**varbo** · September 8th, 2009, 04:32 PM

A friend of mine gets $500/year to spend on anything that gets him active. He just has to bring in his receipt.

**tidalwave** · September 8th, 2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAINT_X

On site gym would be awesome...better than reimbursement for sure.

Used to have one. It was awesome. Such a great time saver. I could actually get a good workout in during lunch, take an aerosol shower (hehe), and be back to work eating at my desk.