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Obesity Discussion · 03-04-06, 07:35 PM

Experts Mixed on Diet Soda, Weight Control

Mar 4, 12:48 PM (ET)

By The Associated Press

Nutrition experts who are soured on soda often take a sweeter view of diet soda, which doesn't contain the sugar calories that many of them blame for weight problems.

Barbara Rolls, an author and nutrition expert at Penn State, is among its fans.

"Diet soda gives you a tool if you use it right" to wean off sweets and reduce calorie intake, she said.

However, others think it may encourage people to feel they've "earned" more dessert because they've cut calories from beverages. Although diet soda consumption is soaring, "we haven't seen the benefit" in lower rates of obesity yet, noted Dr. Louis Aronne, a Weill-Cornell Medical School nutrition expert who is president of the Obesity Society.

Harvard pediatrician Dr. David Ludwig worries that diet soda is causing "infantilization of taste buds."

Someone stepping out of a heavy metal concert can't appreciate a bird song, he said. Similarly, "if everything has to have a very intense sweetness, might that interfere with a child's or anyone's ability to appreciate another taste?" he asks.

"Broccoli, Brussels sprouts ... they just can't compete."

Article

03-04-06, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Obesity Discussion Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,851 Weight Statistics 8/1/2006 Start Date: 185 lb Start Weight: 152 lb Current Weight: 155 lb Goal Weight: -33 lb Weight Loss: 5/1/2007 Goal Date:	Experts Mixed on Diet Soda, Weight Control Experts Mixed on Diet Soda, Weight Control Mar 4, 12:48 PM (ET) By The Associated Press Nutrition experts who are soured on soda often take a sweeter view of diet soda, which doesn't contain the sugar calories that many of them blame for weight problems. Barbara Rolls, an author and nutrition expert at Penn State, is among its fans. "Diet soda gives you a tool if you use it right" to wean off sweets and reduce calorie intake, she said. However, others think it may encourage people to feel they've "earned" more dessert because they've cut calories from beverages. Although diet soda consumption is soaring, "we haven't seen the benefit" in lower rates of obesity yet, noted Dr. Louis Aronne, a Weill-Cornell Medical School nutrition expert who is president of the Obesity Society. Harvard pediatrician Dr. David Ludwig worries that diet soda is causing "infantilization of taste buds." Someone stepping out of a heavy metal concert can't appreciate a bird song, he said. Similarly, "if everything has to have a very intense sweetness, might that interfere with a child's or anyone's ability to appreciate another taste?" he asks. "Broccoli, Brussels sprouts ... they just can't compete." Article __________________