Does diet soda lead to weight gain?

Question

I drink a couple of cans of the stuff daily. Friend and coworkers are quick to point out that many diet soda drinkers are obese. I wonder though if they have reversed the cause and effect. They seem to believe that diet soda makes people fat, but it seems plausible that fat people are just more likely to drink diet soda in hopes of losing weight. Risk of cancer from artificial sweeteners aside, and I putting my health at risk by drinking this stuff?

Answer 1

The results I think are inconclusive.  However a lot of diet coke drinkers make up for their savings by eating more.  I used to work in a restaurant and seriously, if I had a dollar for every person who ordered a double steak extra cheese fajita with no salad and a diet coke, I'd be a rich woman.

Look at your diet, see if you could cut out those 140 calories some other way because diet coke is bad for you.  You said so yourself.  Plus cancer is way worse than being a bit pudgy.  Leave the french fries and the mayo and you've got it covered.  Drink water or unsweetened tea for an extra bonus!

Answer 2

well.... it's not so much a direct weight gain. like, if you drink sodas you won't suddenly poof out. it coats the inside of your mouth with the flavor, which makes you want to eat. also, it's just plain unhealthy (check out aspartame side effects).

but putting aside the cancer risks as you requested, you are putting your health at risk. as with anything with high amounts of sodium, it's bad for your heart.

Answer 3

There are no studies that show aspartame causes cancer. People are just paranoid. Not it doesn't lead to weight gain.

Answer 4

I think you may be correct that the connection is that more overweight people may choose to drink diet soda.  I don't think that diet soda will make you gain weight, but it might mean that you are not drinking enough water.