Diet Sodas Linked To Obesity?

 

Do unhealthy people drink diet soda or does drinking diet soda make people unhealthy? Research suggests that artificially sweetened drinks may affect a person's cravings for sweets.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, a recent report from the Framingham Heart Study in Massachusetts compared soft drink consumption among nearly 9,000 middle-aged men and women.

Overall, soda drinkers were:

- at 48% higher risk for metabolic syndrome (a collection of health problems including being overweight)

- 31% more likely to be obese

- 25% more likely to have higher blood sugar

- 18% more likely to have high blood pressure

 

The risks of metabolic syndrome were about the same whether the soft drink was sugared or sugar-free. The study authors noted that the research doesn't prove sodas cause health problems.

When diabetics were excluded, the data were weaker, showing only a 16% higher risk for health problems among soda drinkers.

However, the data on diet soda have been mixed. One previous study showed a link between diet soda consumption and weight gain in boys. Some research has suggested that artificial sweeteners may "condition" diet soda drinkers to develop a preference for sweet, higher calorie foods.

Many nutritionists say the study should be a wake up call for soda drinkers, noting that a zero calorie beverage can't undo the damage of an unhealthful diet.

No surprise, the research was immediately criticized by the soft drink industry, which stated that these beverages can be part of a healthy lifestyle when consumed in moderation.