Two-Year Study of 500 People Finds Zero-Sugar Drinks Match Water for Weight Control
Updated
Updated · thenakedscientists.com · Oct 27
Two-Year Study of 500 People Finds Zero-Sugar Drinks Match Water for Weight Control
3 articles · Updated · thenakedscientists.com · Oct 27
Summary
Almost 500 participants followed for two years saw the same weight-management outcomes whether they drank zero-sugar beverages or water.
The trial asked people to consume two drinks a day from their assigned group, while both groups avoided sugar-sweetened drinks, isolating the effect of sweeteners versus water.
Jason Halford said the findings support swapping sugary sodas for artificially sweetened ones because cutting sugar lowers energy intake without increasing appetite or preference for sweetness.
Researchers reported no adverse signals across several health indicators in the study, though Halford said long-term population monitoring of sweeteners should continue.
The result challenges the idea that sweeteners drive later overeating and undercuts the health halo around honey, fruit juice and smoothies, which can still carry high sugar loads.