Consuming carbonated drinks stimulates the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Compared to plain water, these beverages promote weight gain.
Are you bored with plain water? An effort may be necessary. Sparkling water and other carbonated drinks would have no interest in keeping the figure. According to a study carried out by Birzeit University (Palestine), it would even be the opposite. The work of its researchers, published in Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, show that drinks containing carbon dioxide promote weight gain.
In rats, the results leave no doubt. A group of animals were exposed for 6 months to four different types of drinks: tap water, still mineral water, carbonated sodas and degassed sodas. At the end of the follow-up, the animals which consumed carbonated drinks were 20% larger than the others.
The hunger hormone stimulated
The effects of carbon dioxide don’t end there. The accumulation of fat in the liver of rodents is more marked and the production of ghrelin – the hunger hormone – is multiplied by six. This would explain why more soda lovers develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH).
Animals that have access to carbonated drinks eat more. The observation is made. But as the UK health service decoding site points out, NHS Choices, “We are not identical to rodents, so such results will need to be validated through human trials. “
Palestinian researchers therefore set about reproducing these observations in humans. 20 young and healthy volunteers were recruited and given the same diet as the rats.
Less balanced meals
In humans, as in rodents, the production of ghrelin is increased after the absorption of a carbonated drink. The authors therefore believe that this type of drink encourages eating more. Sparkling water would therefore not be a good alternative to hydrate.
“Many other factors are taken into account in food intake and weight gain”, emphasizes NHS Choices. For example, soda drinkers tend to eat less balanced foods and exercise less. A study has shown it: even drinks light are misleading and tend to result in more calories on the plate.
In conclusion, the easiest – and cheapest – way to hydrate is still tap water.
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