Diet Soda Makes You Hungrier… And Fatter

Do you drink diet soda because you think it helps stop you from gaining weight? Think again.

A new study shows that diet soda makes you hungry to point that you can increase your caloric intake by as much as 50%.

It’s just the latest research showing that artificially-sweetened soda may be even worse for your health than the sugary variety. Many studies have shown that zero-calorie soft drinks are linked to diabetes, cancer, and stroke.

Now add hunger cravings to the list. It defeats the very reason you are drinking diet soda in the first place.

Why do chemical sweeteners make people eat more?

Researchers say that when the brain senses intense sweetness, it expects a concentrated flood of calories to hit our body—like we would get from sugar. When the calories don’t arrive, the brain demands them. It does this by causing hunger.

Scientists who conducted the new study put it this way: “When sweetness versus energy is out of balance for a period of time, the brain recalibrates and increases total calories consumed.”

Researchers also noted an increase in insomnia and hyperactivity when diet sodas are added to a person’s diet.

Scientists at the University of Sydney conducted the study. Their findings were published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

2 Natural and Healthy Sweeteners

Why risk cancer, obesity, and heart issues? Dump diet sodas—along with other sources of toxic artificial sweeteners.

And don’t replace them with refined sugar. We recently told you how sugar fuels the growth of cancer cells…particularly breast cancer.

Here are three sweet alternatives that come without major health risks:

Raw Honey: Look for 100% organic raw honey. The darker the honey, the more nutrients and flavor. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. Make sure it is minimally processed. Refined honey can be as bad as sugar.

One type of honey is particularly prized for its health benefits. It’s called Manuka honey. This variety fights disease-causing bacteria. It is widely available at health food stores and online.

Blackstrap Molasses: This is not regular molasses. The healthy vitamins and minerals such as iron, B6, magnesium, and calcium aren’t processed out. The sugar content is released slowly, which prevents blood sugar spikes.