Diet sodas might not be

Diet sodas drinkers might be sacrificing-to gain weight. That's the conclusion of a study presented to the American Diabetes Association. For decades, diet sodas have been popular with people who wanted to enjoy the taste of their popular drinks without gaining the weight associated with the sugar they contain. Unfortunately, the most recent data suggests the opposite is true-those making the sacrifice may also be paying the most in terms of weight gain. 

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LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - The study, conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, concluded that diet soda consumption could contribute to weight gain and the development of type 2 diabetes.

The results of the study showed that people who consume diet sodas had an astounding 70% increase in their waistlines versus non-drinkers over a 9.5 year period. Those who drank two or more diet sodas per day saw in excess of a 500% increase. Researchers said their results were adjusted for other contributing factors such as diabetes, leisure-time, physical activity, and age.
The data that was presented didn't say exactly why diet sodas are related to such weight gain, but other studies suggest it may be psychological. Specifically, when the brain detects a sweet taste, it expects sugar to go with it.

When the expected calories don't arrive, the brain responds by telling the body to store more calories as fat. This fat, which tends to build up around the belly, is a significant risk factor in a variety of other illnesses including heart disease and diabetes. In studies done with mice, researchers also found pre-diabetic conditions in those consuming artificial sweeteners instead of real sugar.

While further studies will need to be concluded to examine causation, there does appear to be a strong correlation between diet soda consumption and weight gain.

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