We have all heard some good myths and urban legends before. We at Sip & Savor have frequently debunked some popular myths regarding our members’ products.

For example, some people believe that diet soda makes you fat. A recent study published in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes found that a number of people who are overweight (or obese or trying to lose weight) also drink low-calorie beverages. From this observation one could say that obesity is “associated with” or “linked to” obesity. But does that mean that low-calorie beverages cause obesity? Of course not. Yet some people would jump to such an erroneous conclusion, starting an urban myth.

That is what people in the science world calls reverse causality. It’s like observing that rain and umbrellas go hand in hand and concluding that umbrellas cause rain.

In fact, studies show that diet beverages are able to help with weight loss. A 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirmed that low- and no- calorie beverages can help people cut calories and shed pounds. And another 2009 paper in the International Journal of Obesity concluded that those who successfully maintain weight loss use a number of dietary strategies to do so, including consuming more low- and no- calorie beverages, which may help because it gives individuals a wider range of choice.

So in other words, low- and no- calorie sweeteners can be an effective tool for weight loss and weight maintenance, which only makes sense. For more information on low-calorie sweeteners and other topics, visit LetsClearItUp.org.