Diet beverages, or artificially-sweetened beverages (ASBs), became popular over the last few decades, largely due to successful marketing campaigns implying that consumption of these beverages would assist in weight control or weight loss. This review examines the existing evidence on the relationship between the consumption of diet beverages and the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Findings from the review suggest that the presently available research on human epidemiologic and experimental studies on ASB intake and the risk for obesity and related chronic disease is lacking in rigor and consistency. The author concludes that based on the current scientific evidence, a blanket recommendation to either consume or avoid ASBs cannot be made.
Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Focus Area: Beverages
Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), Sugar-sweetened beverages
Resource Type: Journal Article
Related Research
November 2023
Effects of a front-of-package disclosure on accuracy in assessing children’s drink ingredients: two randomised controlled experiments with US caregivers of young children
This study aimed to test the effects of a standardized front-of-package (FOP) disclosure statement (indicating added sugar, non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) and juice content) on accuracy in assessing ingredients and perceived healthfulness of children’s drinks. In two randomized controlled experiments, the same participants (six hundred and forty-eight U.S. caregivers of young children ages 1-5 years) viewed MoreSeptember 2023
Advertising and Stocking at Small Retailers: A Sweetened Beverage Excise Tax in Philadelphia
In 2017, Philadelphia enacted a $0.015 per ounce excise tax on SBs that covered both sugar-sweetened beverages and artificially-sweetened beverages, which reduced purchasing and consumption. This study assessed whether the tax also changed beverage advertising or stocking practices that could influence consumer behavior among stores in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Philadelphia-adjacent counties not subject to the MoreSeptember 2023