Sugar-free, calorie free: Artificial sweeteners may not help with weight loss

If you feel artificial sweeteners are a perfect substitute to sugar, you might want to think again. Marketed as ‘sugar-free’ or ‘diet option’, artificial sweeteners – commonly found in a variety of food and beverages, including soft drinks, chewing gum, jellies – give a person the same pleasure as sugar but reduce the calories. But, are these popularly marketed sweeteners the right choice? “People who are weight conscious or suffering from diabetes or cardiac problems usually prefer artificial sweeteners over table sugar as they are calorie-free. However, many would not…

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Sugar-Free Drinks Do Not Help In Weight Loss

There is no evidence that sugar-free and “diet” drinks help in weight loss as is generally believed and may actually have “detrimental impacts” on health and environment, according to a new research released today. Academics from Imperial College London and two Brazilian universities – University of Sao Paulo and Federal University of Pelotas – argue that sugar-free versions of soft drinks may be no better in preventing weight gain than their full sugar counterparts. “A common perception, which may be influenced by industry marketing, is that because ‘diet’ drinks have…

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