Science is both satisfying and frustrating. Satisfying when you have a problem that you are trying to solve, and you do it. Like going to the moon. But for many problems the solution is elusive because not only is the data is inconclusive, it seems to change almost day by day. Consider the question of artificially sweetened beverages and weight loss. Do they help, or as some studies have suggested, hinder weight loss by stimulating a taste for more sweets? Well, now we have a study that shows a greater weight loss with these beverages that with water, the gold standard drink for weight loss. And it seems to be a very well done study with good statistical weight. 279 participants between the ages 21-65 were divided into two groups with both groups being given continuous behavioural advice about weight loss. One group was told to consume at least 24 oz of water every day while the other group consumed the same amount of an artificially sweetened beverage. Surprisingly, after 12 weeks there was a somewhat greater weight loss in the beverage group (6 kg versus 4 kg) than in the water group. why this should have been so is a mystery but surveys showed that the subjects in the beverage group reported feeling hungry less often. The study is going to be continued for another 9 months and it should be very interesting to see the final results. Of course one study is not enough to prove the case but it does blunt the argument that artificial sweeteners contribute to obesity. It should be noted that the study was funded by the The American Beverage Association which is going to cause some people to attack it. But lets face it, if researchers wants to study such effects, where are they going to apply for funding? A plumbing supply manufacturer? No. They will approach a company that has a vested interest in the study. And just because a study is funded by a vested interest doesnt automatically discredit it. Data is data. But making sense of it can be very frustrating.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 03:15:45 +0000
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