Sugar-free drinks do not aid weight loss, research suggests

SUGAR-FREE and “diet” drinks are not helpful for weight loss and could even cause people to pile on the pounds, a new study has claimed.

A review of dozens of studies dating back 30 years found that there is no solid evidence that sugar-free alternatives prevent weight gain, Type 2 diabetes or help people to maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).

The study also claims that artificial sweeteners are fuelling, rather than fighting, the very obesity epidemic they were designed to block. This is because the artificiallysweetened beverages, also known as ASBs, trigger sweet receptors in the brain which may make people crave food.

This, together with the consumers’ awareness of the low-calorie content of ASBs, may result in overconsumption of other foods.

The research has been described as controversial as previous studies have found that caloriefree drinks are better for health than those laden with sugar.

In addition, the study claims the production of ASBs has negative consequences for the environment, with up to 300 litres of water required to produce a 0.5l plastic bottle of carbonated soft drink.

Sugary drinks, or sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), are seen as one of the major contributors of obesity in society.

In Wales, around a quarter of the adult population are classed as obese – and 60% are deemed overweight.