University of Liverpool study examines sugar-free drinks and weight loss

A two-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool has investigated the long-term effects of consuming sugar-free soft drinks compared to water on overweight adults. The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, involved 493 participants aged 18 to 65 with a BMI between 27 and 35.

Participants were divided into two groups: one consuming sugar-free beverages containing aspartame, acesulfame-K, and sucralose, and another consuming water. Over the 104-week period, the sugar-free group lost an average of 4.8 kilograms, while the water group lost an average of 3.7 kilograms. Researchers noted that the 1.1-kilogram difference was not statistically significant.

While hunger levels increased significantly in the sugar-free group, researchers stated the data does not suggest sweeteners cause persistent disruptions to appetite. The study faced limitations due to a high dropout rate, with only 220 of the original 493 participants completing the full duration.