The Dr. Oz Show Misinterprets the Science: Recent Dr. Oz Show on Diet Soda May Unnecessarily Alarm the Public

Today’s segment of The Dr. Oz Show claiming diet soda and low-calorie sweeteners cause weight gain and cravings that adversely affect one’s metabolism was not based on scientific facts.

“Numerous studies in humans have shown that the consumption of low-calorie sweeteners does not lead to an increase in feelings of hunger or body weight,” said Haley Curtis Stevens, Ph.D., President of the Calorie Control Council. “The Dr. Oz Show was likely misinterpreting recent publications on consumption of low-calorie sweeteners, and I am very surprised that he would choose to present this claim as fact,” she added.

Further, Registered Dietitian Robyn Flipse noted, “What I have seen in my 35 years of clinical practice is that low-calorie sweeteners do help people control their weight when they are used along with a balanced diet and regular exercise. But, low-calorie sweeteners are only one tool – And unfortunately, not all consumers of diet drinks and low-calorie sweeteners are living a healthy lifestyle.”

In the segment, Dr. Oz mentions that one can of diet soda per day can increase chance of weight gain by 70 percent. However, this finding was not based on a peer-reviewed publication, but instead on a 2011 presentation of an observational study.

On the contrary, a review study published as recently as November 2013, found that diet beverages do not increase obesity risk and may in fact be helpful when used to replace higher calorie beverages. The authors of the study also note that many studies – such as the one referenced by Dr. Oz – are biased because they are observational and cannot show cause and effect.

According to Dr. John Fernstrom, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, “Intervention studies have been conducted over the past few decades, and uniformly show that when artificial sweeteners are introduced into the diet (usually in a “blinded” fashion, so the subjects don’t know it), fewer sugars and calories are ingested, and body fat content and body weight are reduced. Low calorie sweeteners by themselves do not make people fat (or diabetic). When overweight or diabetic individuals report consuming more products containing artificial sweeteners, it may be that these products are being consumed to reduce sugar and calorie intake (a good thing), and not the other way around.”

The Dr. Oz Show chose to ignore the large body of robust scientific research that demonstrates the safety and benefits of low-calorie sweeteners and diet beverages.   Dozens of studies have demonstrated that low-calorie sweeteners can be useful tools for lowering and/or maintaining body weight.  Further, numerous studies in humans have shown that the consumption of low-calorie sweeteners does not lead to an increase in energy intake, feelings of hunger or body weight.   “I am surprised that Dr. Oz would present the claims as fact,” said Dr. Stevens.

Low- and no-calorie sweeteners can help reduce calorie consumption and aid in the maintenance of a healthy weight, a position supported by both the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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