Academics Warn “Diet” Soft Drinks Don’t Actually Help People Lose Weight, And Are Equally As Bad For Global Obesity

Soft drinks made with artificial sweeteners, such as diet colas, are apparently just as big of a problem as their full-sugar counterparts.

A recent paper put together by a group of researchers argues that there’s no evidence to suggest diet drinks help people lose weight, despite being marketed as such. They argue the reason for this is that people assume they can eat more, because their drinks are low in sugar.

The report also suggests that the combined factors of what goes into artificially sweetened drinks, how they’re consumed, and their environmental impact mean that “far from helping to solve the global obesity crisis [they are] a potential risk factor for highly prevalent chronic diseases.”

Drinks sweetened with sugar have been identified as a major cause of obesity, with many countries (such as Mexico and France) introducing sugar taxes in an attempt to reduce consumption.

Manufacturers who are looking to boost their sales have turned to artificial sweeteners in order to escape the tax. These “no-sugar” products now account for 25 per cent of the global soft drinks market.

Professor Christopher Millet, senior investigator at Imperial’s School of Public Health, said it’s a common perception that “diet” drinks are healthier and aid weight loss when used as a substitute for full-sugar versions.

“However, we found no solid evidence to support this,” he explained.

The paper suggests that given the negligible nutritional benefits and potentially detrimental health impacts of artificially sweetened drinks, we should reconsider their place in the market. It also argues that we should consider the environmental impact of manufacturing these drinks. According to studies, it takes 150-300 litres of water to make just one litre of drink.

Pollution Tax / Sugar Tax / No brainer / You cause pollution of any environment you pay the tax - simple! https://t.co/godi2t1nl5

— Save Trees Animals (@savetreeanimal) January 3, 2017

The British Soft Drinks Association has dismissed the paper, saying low-calorie sweeteners used in diet drinks help consumers manage their weight as part of a calorie-controlled diet.

Co-author of the paper Professor Carlos Monteiro is concerned that people are opting for diet drinks, rather than just drinking plain water, which he describes as: “The desirable source of hydration for everyone.”

Right you are.

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