12 Jun Use Fake Sugars to Lose More Weight

Much has been written about the detrimental effects of non-nutritional sweeteners (NNS), often called artificial sweeteners.  Some tout that these sweetness, even though they have no calories, cause weight gain by tricking the brain into increasing your appetite.  This view is widely held, but the data supporting it is scant.  A study published in the journal Obesity in February of this year compared 303 overweight or obese individuals for a year.  The first 12 weeks of the study monitored the effects of Water vs. NNS drinks on participants while in an active weight loss program.  The last 40 weeks of the study monitored the effects on weight maintenance.

After 12 weeks the NNS group lost significantly more weight.  At the end of a year the NNS group also maintained significantly more weight loss.  Waist circumference decreased in both groups, but the NNS groups lost significantly more inches.  Systolic Blood Pressure did not change significantly in the water group but did drop in the NNS group.  Both groups saw improvement in their cholesterol, but the NNS group saw a greater drop in triglycerides.  At the end of 52 weeks the water group complained of more hunger than at baseline.  The NNS group, on the other hand, reported no increase in hunger despite greater levels of weight loss.

Even though non-nutritional sweeteners appear to improve weight loss, use good judgement.  Everything should be consumed in moderation.  In this study the participates were asked to drink only an additional 24 ounces of either water or a NNS drink.  Drinking a gallon of NNS drinks a day may have an entirely different result.

Here’s to the Journey!