eMedicineLive

Doctors have often suggested obese individuals to replace their artificially sweetened beverages with non-sweetened beverages or water in order to lose weight. However, the efficacy of this advice had never been tested before. Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that switching from a caloric to a non-caloric drink may actually help the individuals to lose weight.

 

The study was led by Dr. Deborah F. Tate from the University of North Carolina. The researchers randomly divided 318 obese individuals into three groups. In the first group, the caloric beverages were replaced with water; in the second group, the caloric beverages were replaced with diet beverages; while in the third group, no replacements were made. Rather, the individuals were advised about diet changes they could make in order to lose weight. The participants were followed up after an interval of six months.

 

While all the participants lost some weight by the end of the study, it was seen that the participants from the first and second group lost almost 20% of their starting weight compared to 11% in the participants from the third group. The participants who had water instead of sugary beverages also reported a drop in their blood pressure and their blood sugar levels. They also had a better level of hydration. This was an added advantage seen by this group which was not seen by participants who had their sugary beverages replaced by non-sugary diet beverages.

 

However, the researchers feel that replacing caloric with diet beverages may be easier to stick to. Researchers consider a 5% loss from the original weight as significant. It was seen that participants with a beverage replacement were 2 times more likely to lose 5% weight compared to participants who chose their diet as per their wishes.

 

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