Artificial Sweeteners in Beverages Do Not Contribute to Weight Gain, Research Finds

Liverpool: According to research conducted at the University of Liverpool in the UK, consuming beverages with artificial sweeteners for a year has no significant impact on body weight.

British researchers compared the weight of individuals suffering from overweight and obesity who consumed sweetened drinks with low calories to those who drank water.

For the study, researchers selected 493 individuals aged 18 to 65, with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 31. The research, which lasted for a year, concluded with 262 participants remaining until the end.

Researchers divided the participants into two groups for the study. One group was given at least two servings of 300 milliliters of water per day, while the other group received the same amount of beverages containing artificial sweeteners.

The study found that individuals who consumed diet beverages not only maintained their weight but also showed improvement in their beneficial cholesterol levels, indicating a reduction in the risks of heart disease and stroke.

According to the results, the group consuming diet beverages experienced an average weight loss of 7.5 kilograms, while the water-drinking group showed a weight reduction of 6.1 kilograms.

The group drinking water witnessed the most significant weight reduction within 44 weeks, while the group consuming beverages experienced this reduction within 36 weeks.

After reaching the threshold of weight loss for both groups, a gradual regain in weight began. However, the group consuming beverages showed a slower rate of weight gain compared to the water-drinking group.

It is noteworthy that the results of this study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, contradict findings from numerous previous studies conducted in the past.