The Cleveland Clinic have conducted several experiments over the effects of artificial sweeteners and diet sodas on our bodies. Although diet sodas reduce our calories and sugar intake, they introduce new chemicals and health problems to our bodies. Both diet and regular sodas have positive and negative impacts on our bodies.

Diet Sodas and Weight Gain

Research shows that the brain can’t decipher between artificial sweeteners and sugars. This affects our brains by making us more susceptible to eating high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. The sweeteners deceive the body, causing weight gain and giving us the habit of eating more unhealthy foods.

Diet Sodas and the Brain

Our brain also associates sweetness with calories. Even though diet sodas contain little to no caloric value, it causes some negative effects. They cause insulin confusion, which happens when the chemical insulin, which prevents forms of diabetes, is released to break down the sugar, but there is not any sugar to break down. This leads to insulin resistance, increased chance of type 2 diabetes, greater chances of obesity, and even strokes.

A study by the Cleveland Clinic in 2012 among college students showed that the difference of diet and regular sodas is minimal. The study followed college students who drank either diet or regular sodas during the observation time. Those who drank diet soda for the weeks had a lower desire to consume appetizing foods or foods with high levels of fat or sugar. Even though it does cause people to crave more unhealthy foods, it does perform better in that category against regular sodas– but still with negative effects.

Artificial Sweeteners

There are some positives to using plain artificial sweeteners over regular sugar, especially in baking or cooking. There are currently six different artificial sweeteners that were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Acesulfame-potassium (Ace-K), Aspartame, Neotame, Saccharin, Stevia, and Sucralose. These six have also been approved by the Cleveland Clinic to help people with diabetes, as it’s a safer option than regular sugar. These can help with caloric and carbohydrate intake.

So the final decision: are diet sodas and artificial sweeteners better for you than the regular versions? The true answer is maybe. For those struggling with diabetes, artificial sweeteners can help your sweet tooth without risking your health.  But as Dr. Kristin Kirkpatrick (Masters of Science, Registered Dietician, Licensed Dietician) says, “Quitting a habit is never easy. But for my patients — and for you–I recommend kicking soda all the way, whether it is regular or diet.”