University of Liverpool trial finds diet drinks match water for weight loss
Researchers at the University of Liverpool completed a two-year study in October 2026 showing that non-nutritive sweetened soft drinks are as effective as water for long-term weight management.
Study design and participants
The research involved 493 adults who had overweight or obesity. Participants followed a randomized controlled trial that lasted 104 weeks.
Weight loss results
People drinking beverages with aspartame, acesulfame-K, or sucralose lost similar amounts of weight to those drinking water. Both groups also saw improvements in waist size and body composition.
Metabolic health findings
The trial found no evidence of increased appetite or metabolic harm from the diet drinks. Researchers described the study as the longest and most comprehensive to date on this topic.
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