Scientists have gone back and forth on studies about diet soda. Some studies say that drinking diet sodas helps keep weight off, while other studies claim that they are linked to obesity and overeating. The conflicting results of studies can make it difficult for the average dieter to decide whether switching to diet drinks or taking sodas out of their diet altogether is the better choice.
The latest study on the matter helps to explain why results on other studies have been so confusing. Focusing on how the body digests diet sodas and the artificial sweeteners, the study revealed that the substitute sweeteners in these drinks may alter the way the stomach’s natural bacteria processes food. The study specifically used mice to test the changes of the bacteria to sweeteners commonly found in diet sodas, like saccharine and sucralose, and then tested on people. Very few people reacted to the sweeteners, but enough did to make this a possible avenue for future research.
Researchers fed the mice large amounts of the artificial sweeteners and then compared the results to mice fed regular sugar. The mice were able to process the sugar regularly, but the artificial sweeteners changed both their gut’s bacteria and their overall metabolism. Mice were used in the trials because, like humans, mice have specific bacteria that are used to help digest food that other creatures cannot.
The artificial sweeteners changed the mice’s bacteria, killing off one group called Bacteroides and promoting the growth of another type of bacteria called Clostridiales. This same change in bacteria type has also been observed in individuals with diabetes. However, the study of digestive bacteria is still in its infancy and researchers caution making definite conclusions.
Still, when scientists tested the effects of artificial sweeteners on a small group of people, 4 out of the 7 individuals showed elevated blood sugar and metabolic change that is often associated with weight gain and pre-diabetes.
So while no definite conclusions can be drawn yet from the study, it might be worth noting that if you’re struggling with your diet and still drinking diet sodas, it might be worth cutting them out of your everyday life and see if that helps. And if you need any further help with your dieting, ourIdeal Protein clinic can help you change your lifestyle and lose weight in a healthy and consistent way!
