“Diet” Sodas Actually Work Against A Dieter’s Weight Loss Plan

Drinking diet soda is not the answer to losing weight, according to U.S. scientists who analyzed national data and determined that artificial sweeteners activate reward centers in the brain in a way that causes the sweet sensors to malfunction. The brain's sweet sensors can’t gauge energy consumption accurately because the artificial sweeteners disrupt appetite control, resulting in increased food intake overall. Bottom line: overweight and obese adults who drink diet beverages consume more calories from food than obese or overweight adults who drink regular soda or other sugary beverages.