While artificial sweeteners have a low glycemic index/load, they stimulate the release of related hormones like insulin and GLP-1. And insulin, if you recall, signals fat cells to suck up the energy and grow.
So if you drink a diet soda, it might have no calories itself, but it's more likely to convince your body to turn more of your lunch into fat than otherwise.
God damn. This is a perfect example of how a little knowledge is dangerous.
1. Artificial sweeteners do NOT cause insulin to be released. 2. On that note, insulin is a storage hormone. That is it. It is not a fat-hormone. You know what's one of the few hormones that almost all bodybuilders take? Insulin - because it makes their muscles grow.
You get fat because your intake of calories is excessive, regardless of whether its done via carbs or fats.
So is your own comment.
1. Aspartame doesn't release insulin, but it does provoke release of related hormones. Other artificial sweeteners DO stimulate insulin release. See my reply to my own comment for a quick sampling of relevant articles.
2. Yes, insulin is a generalized storage hormone, but fat is always ready to absorb, while muscle requires exercise to stimulate the absorption. Unless you're exercising heavily (which isn't most of us), my general point stands.