Sodas with Sugar Substitutes have a Benefit on Weight and Risk Factors Similar to Drinking Water
Substituting diet soda for recommended water in major diet guidelines had about the same effect on weight and cardiovascular risk factors without evidence of harm. I am an internist who practiced preventive cardiology and I have admitted dozens of patients to the hospital because they consumed sugar. I have never admitted anyone to the hospital because they used an artificial sweetener. Healthy diet is one of the most important factors in preventing and managing cardiovascular and related conditions. It is important that our recommendations produce a longer healthier life without merely making life seem longer. We should interfere with inividual preferences only when they matter.
I weighed 307 pounds. When I was drinking sweet tea and soda containing sugar—when I was eating ice cream—there was always a drive to consume more. Artifically sweetened coffee, soda, and frozen peaches do not have that effect on me. I have lost 60 pounds and kept it off. Sugar, fast foods, and processed foods are addictive and sugar may be the most addictive of all. Getting away from those foods really helped me. I never told my patients to avoid artificial sweeteners. I told them to avoid sugar except for a single meal a week. I told them to avoid fast food and processed food.
Most diabetics gain weight as their glucose is better controlled with treatment because they continue eating processed carbs and sugar and “cover it” with insulin or oral medicines that increase insulin levels. Our team encouraged restricting carbs and sugar and we used medications that promoted weight loss like metformin, liraglutide, and empagliflozin. Our approach was weight-centric rather than sugar-centric. If patients were referred to us with an A1c over 8%, on average we lowered it by 2.2% and 60 percent of my patients lost weight while they improved their sugar control. Four lost over 100 pounds.
We will be more successful if we provide advice for patients that produces the desired result while still interfering with the joy of life as little as possible. Evidence is critical at every step and that is what this site is all about—enjoying life while living healthier and longer. What do you think:
So glad you posted this. During my dietary changes I have been avoiding artificial sweeteners which I have always enjoyed in my coffee. Now I know I can enjoy it once again. I mostly drink water but every now and then I just have to have a diet soda. Thanks!
Please add lifestyle optimization measures such as intermittent fasting, fasting, HIIT plus long walks to the regimen, and use Multifunction Cardiogram Technology to early detect, early warning, monitoring to ensure accurate objective diagnosis and quantitative outcomes measurements, your patients will be rewarded further. They will be around much longer too! Great for business.