For reasons that are still largely unknown, drinking diet soda can be correlated with weight gain and increased insulin levels. Diet soda probably is not a direct cause of weight gain; rather, it may stimulate the appetite in some individuals, leading them to consume more food than they need. Being overweight is a major cause of increased blood levels of insulin, insulin resistance and diabetes.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the transport of glucose from the blood and into the cells. Insulin binds to insulin receptors embedded in cell membranes. This triggers glucose transporters to embed into the cell membrane. Glucose then enters the cell through the glucose transporter. The cell either uses glucose to produce energy or it converts it into stored glucose, or glycogen, or fat. When the blood levels of glucose are low, the pancreas ceases to produce insulin.
Diet Soda and Weight Gain
Only a few studies support the hypothesis that diet soda can lead to weight gain and elevated insulin levels in human beings. A study reported in the January 2009 issue of "Diabetes Care" indicated that consuming diet soda on a daily basis can lead to metabolic syndrome, a disorder that is characterized by high blood pressure, fat storage around the waist, increased insulin levels, insulin resistance and high levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol.
The Effect of Diet Soda on the Brain
It is still a controversial issue whether consuming diet soda and other products containing artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, neotame, sucralose and acesulfame-K, on a daily basis promotes weight gain and insulin resistance. Most studies in this area have involved rodents. In rodents, calories and taste both contribute to the brain's count of the amount of food consumed. Something similar may be going on in humans. Foods that contain artificial sweeteners signal to the brain that you have consumed high-calorie foods. But the calories actually contained in the foods or drinks do not match the taste experience. Over time, the brain begins to disassociate taste experiences from calorie intake.
Insulin Resistance
When the brain disassociates taste experiences from calorie intake, this can possibly cause the brain to signal to the body that it is hungry, even when the body gets enough calories. If the brain tells the body that it is hungry, the pancreas instantly secretes insulin into the bloodstream. The heightened levels of insulin facilitate the storage of fat and glucose in the form of glycogen. Over time, it could also lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
References
- Ophrah.com; Do Diet Drinks Actually Cause Weight Gain?; Dr. David L. Katz; February 2009
- Natural News; Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Diet Soda; Patty Donovan; Feb. 16, 2009
- The Fat Resistance Diet: Insulin and Cortisol
- "Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Volume 1 "; Albert L. Lehninger, et al.; 2005
- Mercy Health Plans; Drinking Even Diet Soda May Be Harmful to Your Health; July 25, 2007
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