Is Diet Soda Better For Weight Loss Than Water?

A new study from researchers at the Unversity of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in Aurora, CO does not paint diet soda as a villain. In fact, the study's results suggest that people lose more weight drinking diet drinks such as diet soda and diet tea than they do drinking zero calorie water.

For the last few years, doctors have been warning people away from diet drinks because of the potential side effects such as kidney damage, cell damage, a messed-up metabolism and possible obesity. Doctors have advocated that weight loss seekers should drink water instead of diet drinks. This new study puts that idea into question. The study found that more people lose more weight when they drink the diet drinks instead of drinking just water.

303 people have participated in this 12-week randomized clinical trial. The trial is also conducted at the Temple University's Center for Obesity Research and Education located in Philadelphia, PA. Each participant is randomly placed in one or two groups. Both diets are the identical except for the beverage. For example, the first group drank 24 ounces of a diet beverage a day. The other group drunk at least 24 ounces of water a day.

What do the results say?

According to the study results, the people in the first group showed improvements in total cholesterol. That means a lower density in bad cholesterol and a reduction in triglyceride levels. Both groups have significant results when it comes to a decrease in waist circumference and lower blood pressure.

The first group have weight loss results that an average of 13 pounds. That is 44 percent more than the second group who drank water. They only lost an average of nine pounds.

The first group results brokedown:

In the first group, 64 percent of the participants shed 5 percent or more of their body weight. That number is 43 percent of the controlled second group. This significant reduction helps decrease the participants' chances of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

James O. Hill, Ph.D., executive director of the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center states, "This study clearly demonstrates diet beverages can in fact help people lose weight, directly countering myths in recent years that suggest the opposite effect — weight gain." He goes on to say that the study reinforces that dieters can enjoy diet drinks instead of limiting themselves to water.

He says the people who are painting diet beverages as the villain are supplying people with misinformation. Although the study shows that the diet beverages can improve people's overall health, it does not show that the diet beverages do not have the side effects associated with it.

Should you use diet beverages to lose weight?

In moderation, diet beverages can be beneficial. It is the best way to get the weight loss benefits and minimize your exposure to the side effects.

If you want to shed pounds, Diet Coke and Crystal Light might help you more than water. The drinks are safe to consume. The U.S. FDA has been monitoring the drinks for decades. So far, they do not show a concern for the side effects. However, I am a cautious person. I'd stick to drinking the beverages in moderation. They should not replace water. You still need to drink water for your body to properly function.

Water has no calories and diet drinks are zero calorie drinks as well. However, diet drinks help you lose more weight faster. They can also make you feel full faster than water can. This is great, because it prevents you from overeating.

Some doctors believe that diet sodas have a bad rep because of what people are eating with them. Most people eat diet sodas with burgers and other unhealthy foods. Some doctors suggest that the food is causing the side effects, not the diet drinks. Some nutritionist believe that diet sodas can trigger cravings for unhealthy foods.

This is just one study that suggests that diet soda is a viable option for weight loss. There needs to be more studies to validate this one. So far the results are promising and lets dieters know that there is no harm in drinking a diet drink or two. Just do not forget about water as you drink your diet soda. You can go through the best strategies that are essential for weight loss success. This will guide you for an effective and healthy weight loss.