Does diet pop really make you hungrier

Bethy25 · January 2011

I am a divorced mom of a 19 month old so am very busy and need a pick me up in the mornings. So, long story short, I have a major addiction to Diet Mountain Dew. I only drink two a day but my first one is usually cracked open right around 8am when I get to work. I refer to it as my coffee. I have heard mixed info on Diet Pop actually making you hungrier? Did anyone out there quit drinking Diet Pop and see a decrease in hunger and/or weight loss?

crystal_sapphire · January 2011

I don't believe it makes you hungrier. and I don't see having 1 or 2 a day as a problem. I sometimes go for a long time without having any pop because I just don't want it and then Ill go through times where I just want it often

carrie145 · January 2011

I drink two or three a day, and I don't seem to want more food. I use to drink regular soda, and when I switched to diet, the weight seemed to melt off. So no, I don't believe that.

JulieBoBoo · January 2011

The unofficial medical take is that the sweet taste might trigger insulin release into you system. When the insulin finds no sugar to bond with it sends hunger signals to your brain. The danger is that over time, your body will come resistant to the sweet taste and stop sending as much or any insulin. This can lead to diabetes and other blood glucose type complications.

As far as I know, studies so far have only confirmed this process in rats and not humans though it is not a stretch to imagine that our bodies react the same way. In the end though, I gave up diet coke (my particular addiction) because it is not-natural and I don't think the human body was meant to ingest chemical food on a regular basis.

To replace the lost caffeine I have started drinking green tea (both hot and chilled) with or without a squeeze of lemon. Green tea is thought to not only have detoxification properties but also to help with weight loss -- win/win.

ETA I just want to add that I'm not a medical specialist and this information is what I've gleaned from various internet sites so take with a grain of salt. I have no idea if it actually does the whole biochemical reaction with insulin suggested. My reasons for stopping the diet soda were based on my desire to eat as unprocessed as possible and you don't get much more processed than diet soda I'm afraid.

Shapeup16 · January 2011

After drinking diet pop for sometime now, I have figured out that it does make me crave something sweet.......usually about 1 to 2 hours afterwards. The days I don't drink it I've noticed I don't have the same craving. Going to try and substitute tea or water...maybe carbonated water with some juice added.....but I'm sure I'll still have a diet pop ocassionally! Everything in moderation!

NoAdditives · January 2011

The unofficial medical take is that the sweet taste might trigger insulin release into you system. When the insulin finds no sugar to bond with it sends hunger signals to your brain. The danger is that over time, your body will come resistant to the sweet taste and stop sending as much or any insulin. This can lead to diabetes and other blood glucose type complications.

As far as I know, studies so far have only confirmed this process in rats and not humans though it is not a stretch to imagine that our bodies react the same way. In the end though, I gave up diet coke (my particular addiction) because it is not-natural and I don't think the human body was meant to ingest chemical food on a regular basis.

To replace the lost caffeine I have started drinking green tea (both hot and chilled) with or without a squeeze of lemon. Green tea is thought to not only have detoxification properties but also to help with weight loss -- win/win.

Yes, this is true. The brain doesn't distinguish between natural sugars and artificial sweeteners. So when you consume artificial sweeteners insulin gets released and it tells your liver and kidneys to stop metabolizing fat for energy and to use sugar from your blood instead. When the organs take what little sugar is in your blood your brain sends hunger signals because your body needs to replenish the blood sugar. So, not only do you have to eat more to keep your body functioning properly, you stop burning fat. Both of which are extremely counterproductive for weight loss.

This is in addition to the potential risks of cancer and other health problems that have been associated with artificial sweeteners...

MiloBloom83 · January 2011

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Reports i've seen indicate that diet sodas trick your system into thinking you are getting sugar, but you are not, and your brain will trick you into eating when you are not hungry to get the sugar it was promised but not delivered. Stay away from diet anything.

Bethy25 · January 2011

Thanks everyone for the info... I think I might seriously try to quit. I think I'll cut back to one for a couple days and go from there. I am kinda tearing up just a little thinking about it!

MsTrudy66 · January 2011

Yes, completely agree. I am a dental hygienist, and I knew the dangers of drinking pop, but still would like my Diet Mt. Dew. I would always get the munchies after drinking it. When this study came out, I knew why. Also, this is what happened to my body. I began to feel very sick, like flu symptoms, every 6 weeks or so. I finally saw a Naturopathic Dr., and she diagnosed that I was sensitive to the aspartame. It was toxic for me and making me sick. I also became acidic. Pop is all acid and it makes your body chemistry acidic. I cut out aspartame in my diet, and also began to eat alkaline producing foods. It has changed my life. I feel so much better. Not to mention, what pop does to your teeth. The enamel starts to erode along the gumline down to the dentin of the tooth, and the teeth start to get sensitive and can decay. Saw it every day in the dental office. So, that's my advice to pop drinkers. I still have one once in awhile, but I know, everything in moderation. Good luck!

Does diet pop really make you hungrier

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