Zero-Sugar Drinks May Aid Weight Loss as Effectively as Water, Study Suggests

Consuming zero-sugar beverages alongside a weight-loss program may be as effective as drinking water for shedding pounds and maintaining weight loss, according to a new study published in the <cite>British Journal of Nutrition</cite>. The two-year experiment compared the impact of diet drinks versus water on 493 overweight and obese adults.

Participants, aged 18 to 65, were assigned to either a water group or a group that consumed at least two 330-milliliter servings daily of commercially available zero-sugar drinks containing sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose. The water group was instructed to avoid artificially sweetened beverages entirely.

Both groups participated in a comprehensive behavioral weight-loss program involving nutritionist guidance on eating habits and a structured increase in physical activity, aiming for one hour of exercise six days a week. Researchers monitored participants' progress through fitness trackers and recorded body weight, waist, and hip circumferences.

After two years, both groups showed significant weight loss and reduction in body measurements. Water drinkers lost an average of 8.2 pounds from their starting weight, while those consuming diet drinks lost 10.6 pounds, a difference of 2.4 pounds. Despite the slightly greater weight loss in the diet drink group, researchers stated they could not definitively attribute the difference to the beverages themselves, noting the overall weight outcomes were considered equivalent.

The study also investigated the theory that artificial sweeteners might confuse the body's calorie-sweetness signals, potentially increasing appetite. However, the findings did not reveal any meaningful difference in hunger levels between the two groups. Body composition scans on a subset of participants indicated similar rates of fat and lean tissue loss in both groups.

While most participants lost weight, the study noted that only 220 of the initial 493 participants completed the full 104-week study, with 117 in the water group and 103 in the diet drink group by the end. Statistical analyses were performed to account for missing data, which did not alter the conclusion of no significant weight loss difference between the beverages. The study acknowledged potential disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting follow-up visits.

Experts caution that while this study suggests zero-sugar drinks can be a helpful tool for weight management and are not detrimental compared to water, further research is needed. Some prior studies have raised concerns about potential long-term health issues associated with artificial sweeteners, though this trial did not find significant negative impacts on measures like blood pressure, glucose, or cholesterol levels within its two-year scope.