Can Diet Drinks Make You Lose Weight?

Researchers at the University of Colorado have come up with a rather contradictory finding which states that diet drinks are almost 44 percent more effective in weight loss than drinking water alone. "This study clearly demonstrates that diet beverages can in fact help people lose weight, directly countering myths in recent years that suggest the opposite effect - weight gain," said James O Hill, co-author of the study. "In fact, those who drank diet beverages lost more weight and reported feeling significantly less hungry than those who drank water alone. This reinforces that if you're trying to shed pounds, you can enjoy diet beverages," said Hill.Almost 300 people participated in the 12-week clinical study where they were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those who were allowed to drink diet beverages, such as diet sodas, teas and flavoured waters and those who were in a control group that consumed only water. With the exception of beverage options, both groups followed an identical diet and exercise plan. The results showed that those who consumed diet beverages lost an average of 6 kgs as compared to the others who lost an average of 4 kgs. Almost 64 percent of the participants in the diet beverage group lost at least five per cent of their body weight, compared to only 43 per cent of the control group. According to the researchers, losing about five per cent of body weight bears significant effects on improving  health, including lowering the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. (More: Diet Drinks do not Guarantee Weight Loss.)"There's so much misinformation about diet beverages that isn't based on studies designed to test cause and effect, especially on the internet," said John C Peters, co-author of the study. "This research allows dieters to feel confident that low and no-calorie sweetened beverages can play an important and helpful role as part of an effective and comprehensive weight loss strategy," said Peters.The group that consumed diet beverages also reported a significant reduction in hunger pangs and showed greater improvements in serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Their serum triglycerides levels also reduced. However, both the groups experienced reductions in waist circumference, and blood pressure, The study was published in the journal Obesity.Inputs of PTI