Does Diet Soda Cause Weight Gain?

This study shows quite nicely that non-caloric sweeteners can alter gut microbes in mice -- a change that has negative metabolic consequences -- and provides preliminary evidence that it can happen in humans too. Unexpected consequences To further appreciate how complicated our handling of diet soda can be, here's another little example: Our intestine (or bowel) is covered with cells that secrete hormones. These cells react to the presence and composition of food by secreting peptides such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY) and cholecystokinin - these names are not important - that work on the brain, signal satiety and control glucose by influencing the secretion of insulin. Guess what: Artificial sweeteners seem to not affect these hormones the way real food does. So although at this point we can't be sure that diet soda directly causes obesity and metabolic syndrome, I think it's fair to say the experiment isn't going too well. These latest studies offer a few fascinating mechanisms that can explain the link between diet soda and untoward outcomes. An explanation, and perhaps also a lesson. We have co-evolved with the traditional foods that come from nature; we have survived and thrived on them from the beginning of human time. They combine into endless possibilities - culinary boredom isn't even a possibility. As much as I like technology, innovation and progress, food might not be the place to experiment with new materials. Replacing soda, a drink with ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news