The Science-Backed Reason Why Drinking Diet Soda Makes You Hungrier
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A new study shows how it can lead to overeating, especially in obese people.
In theory, the solution to satisfying hunger is straightforward: You eat something and your hunger goes away. In reality, it’s not that simple. You’ve probably experienced firsthand how some meals fill you up more than others, even if it’s the same amount of food. (Exhibit A: Finding yourself reaching back into the fridge an hour after you had a heaping plate of lo mein.)
Sometimes, it’s not the nutrient density (or lack thereof) of your meal that can get in the way of satisfying your hunger pangs; it could be the drink you’re pairing your meal with.
According to a new scientific study published in the journal Nature Metabolism, non-caloric sweeteners (often found in diet sodas and other drinks) mess with the brain’s response to hunger and satiety. That means they can make it harder to know when you’re actually full. In fact, they could even make you feel hungrier.
To learn more about how these common types of sweeteners interrupt hunger cues, we talked to the lead study author as well as doctors who specialize in understating hunger and satiety. Especially if you find yourself feeling hungry all the time, their insight can help you understand the key to truly feeling satiated.
How Non-Caloric Sweeteners Interrupt Hunger Cues
