The truth about sugar-free soft drinks
It's true that sugar-free soft drinks have very little to no calories, but a new study shows they may be no better than the real thing.
It's widely accepted that fizzy drinks continue to contribute to the country's obesity crisis, and bad press is leading to a decline in their consumption. Companies have poured resources into offering sugar-free alternatives suited to health-conscious consumers.
But a new study from researchers in the UK and Brazil revealed sugar-free, or "diet" drink alternatives, may be no better for weight loss or preventing weight gain than sugary versions because they lead to the overconsumption of other foods.
"A common perception, which may be influenced by industry marketing, is that because 'diet' drinks have no sugar, they must be healthier and aid weight loss when used as a substitute for full sugar versions," said Imperial College London public health professor Christopher Millett.
Artificially sweetened soft drinks have few to zero calories but researchers are concerned the fake sugar could stimulate sweet taste receptors and trigger people to eat more.
Overconsumption of other foods can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related health problems, researchers said.
Although there was no direct evidence of sugar-free drinks leading to weight gain, the researchers found there's no evidence the drinks help people lose weight or prevent weight gain compared with full sugar drinks.
"The lack of solid evidence on the health effects of ASBs and the potential influence of bias from industry funded studies should be taken seriously when discussing whether ASBs are adequate alternatives to SSBs," said Federal University of Pelotas researcher doctor Maria Borges.
Artificially sweetened beverages make up a quarter of the world's sweetened drinks market, but are not taxed or regulated to the same extent as sugar-sweetened beverages.
Researchers said this could be because artificial sweeteners are thought to be harmless.
In February last year Nelson Marlborough District Health Board extended its policy preventing the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages to cover artificially-sweetened beverages.
Artificially-sweetened beverages had a detrimental effect on teeth and general health, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board principal dental officer Dr Rob Beaglehole said.
University of Sao Paulo researcher professor Carlos Monteiro said, "Taxes and regulation on SBS and not ASBs will ultimately promote the consumption of diet drinks rather than plain water - the desirable source of hydration for everyone."
The authors said artificially-sweetened drinks may be contributing to the global obesity epidemic "and should not be promoted as part of a healthy diet".
Do you opt for diet fizzy drinks over their full-sugar counterparts? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Rachel Clayton. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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