Los Angeles: A new study from USC’s Keck School of Medicine reveals that diet sodas, especially those containing the artificial sweetener sucralose, may increase appetite and food cravings, particularly in women and obese individuals. The research suggests that while diet sodas promise zero calories, they may hinder weight loss by altering the brain’s response to food.
In the study, 74 participants of varying body weights and genders consumed drinks sweetened with either sucrose (table sugar), sucralose, or plain water across three separate sessions. Researchers then used functional MRI scans to monitor brain activity in response to images of high-calorie foods like donuts and burgers. They also measured blood sugar, insulin, and hormones related to hunger and fullness.
Results showed that sucralose-sweetened drinks caused increased activity in brain regions linked to food cravings, especially in females and obese individuals, compared to sugar-sweetened beverages. Additionally, these participants showed lower levels of hormones that typically signal satiety, suggesting they felt less full after drinking diet soda.
Women in the study snacked more after consuming sucralose drinks, unlike men, whose snack intake remained stable. This gender difference highlights how artificial sweeteners may “trick” the brain into feeling hungry, potentially leading to higher calorie intake.
Dr. Kathleen Page, the study’s lead author, explained that while many people turn to non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) for weight control, their actual effects on metabolism and appetite may vary significantly between individuals. She emphasized the need for personalized nutrition strategies, especially for groups more sensitive to artificial sweeteners.
The findings challenge the common belief that diet sodas are a helpful tool for weight loss and suggest that they could undermine efforts to control appetite and manage body weight, particularly in vulnerable groups.
