A recent study suggests that diet sodas might not be as beneficial for weight loss as previously thought.

The study’s findings were published recently in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience. Researchers investigated the effects of low-calorie sweeteners on the body.

In the study, some rats were given a low-calorie sweetener and others were given table sugar. The rats that ate the artificial sugar gained more weight than the ones that ate table sugar. Researchers found that artificial sweeteners seem to break the connection between sweetness and calories, driving the consumer to overeat.

            Lyn M. Steffen, an associate professor of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota said that the study might explain the correlation between obesity and diet soda drinkers.

From 1987 to 2000 the amount of diet soda drinkers doubled from 70 million to 160 million. During the same time period, the percentage of adult obesity rose from 15 percent to 30 percent.

In this new study, the rats that ate the low calorie sweetener gained on average 88 grams in five weeks, while the ones that ate the table sugar gained an average of only 72 grams. The rats that ate the artificial sweetener were taking in more calories and had five percent more body fat than the other rats.

The scientists reviewing this data have developed several theories about what caused this correlation.

One interpretation of the trend is that people are turning to diet soda to control their weight. The food and beverage industries suggest that larger portion size, lack of exercise, and an increase of calorie intake are a more significant factor than low-calorie sweeteners contributing to the rise of obesity.

Another theory is that low-calorie, artificial sugar causes a biological or behavioral change that makes people eat more.

Artificial sugar may help to cause over eating by tricking your body into thinking that it needs more sugar. According to researchers, however, obesity is multi-faceted and it involves many factors like the amount of calories, exercise and metabolism.

[Sources: The Capital Times, Los Angeles Times]