University of Liverpool weight loss study

Researchers at the University of Liverpool conducted a two-year study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, to compare the effects of water versus sugar-free beverages on weight loss among overweight adults. The study involved 493 participants, though only 220 completed the full 104-week period.

Findings indicated that the group consuming sugar-free drinks containing aspartame, acesulfame-K, and sucralose lost an average of 4.8 kg, while the water group lost an average of 3.7 kg. Researchers noted that this 1.1-kg difference was not statistically significant. While hunger levels increased significantly in the sugar-free group, the data did not suggest that sweeteners cause persistent disruptions to appetite.

Broader health discussions surrounding the study include concerns from the World Health Organization regarding long-term sweetener use and the 2023 classification of aspartame as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’. Experts suggest that while sugar-free drinks may serve as an alternative to sugary beverages, they are not a direct weight-loss solution and may still contain caffeine and acids.