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When people set goals to shed weight one of the first commonly cut items is regular soda C either altogether or switching to diet. However research conducted recently from Johns Hopkins University is saying that this switch may turn unwanted weight loss program around in a negative way.
In particular, for all those those who are overweight or obese attempting to lose weight, researchers found when they switched to diet drinks, they actually were eating calories compared to those who drink regular soda.
“When you make that switch from a sugary beverage for a diet beverage, you’re often not changing other things in what you eat,” said Sara Bleich, lead researcher from the study in Johns Hopkins pr release.
The study, published within the American Journal of Public Health, reviewed data from the previously released National Nutrition and health Examination Survey including information from 1999-2010. The research included details about what participants ate and drink inside a 24-hour period.
Results demonstrated that one in five overweight or obese Americans consistently consumed diet drinks.
“Although overweight and obese adults who drink diet soda eat a comparable amount of total calories as heavier adults who drink sugary beverages, they consume significantly more calories from solid food at both meals and snacks,” Bleich said.
Recent data shows a stable increase in diet soda drinkers up a lot more than 15 percent from the 1960s, but Bleich also highlights that just last year there was a seven percent decrease in sales. She correlates this with an increased consumption of flavored water, juice and tea.
The research also discovered that those drinking diet soda are in fact consuming exactly the same amount of calories as regular soda drinkers, just getting their calories elsewhere.
“The results in our study suggest that overweight and obese adults seeking to lose or maintain their weight-who have already switched from sugary to diet beverages-may need to look carefully at other aspects of their solid-food diet, particularly sweet snacks, to potentially identify areas for modification,” Bleich said.
Researchers conclude when individuals are likely to switch to diet soda included in a weight loss program, they have to cut calories in other locations as well.
