Replacing diet beverages with water in obese women with type 2 diabetes

The authors aimed to determine the effects of replacing diet beverages with water in obese women with type 2 diabetes following a hypo-energetic diet. The authors concluded that replacing diet drinks with water after the main meal in obese adult women with type 2 diabetes might increase weight loss during a weight loss program. 

A large percentage of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Increased weight can put additional pressure on the body's ability to produce and control insulin, which is needed to control blood sugar levels. This increases the risk of diabetes development and worsening of the condition. Healthy diets, exercise and medications can be used to reduce weight and blood sugar levels, as well as reducing the risk of diabetic complications (heart disease, kidney disease, blindness etc).

Nutritionists generally recommend increasing water intake when trying to lose weight, as a substitute for more sugary beverages. However, many patients consume diet beverages, assuming they will help with weight loss. It is not clear whether diet beverages are associated with weight loss as part of a diet program.

The aim of this study was to determine the benefit of replacing diet beverages with water in obese women with type 2 diabetes undergoing a weight loss program.

81 patients who normally consumed diet beverages were analyzed in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In group 1, 41 patients replaced their habitual main meal diet beverages with water five times a week. In group 2, 40 patients continued to drink diet beverages at their main meal five times a week. Patients were followed for 24 weeks.

Patients in group 1 experienced a greater average weight loss of 6.4 kg compared to 5.25 kg in patients in group 2. There was a greater decrease in body mass index (measure of body fat taking weight and height into account) in group 1 than in group 2.

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG – levels of glucose in the blood after several hours without food) was significantly lower in group 1 (6.86 mmol/L) at 24 weeks compared to group 2 (7.19 mmol/L). HbA1c levels (a measurement of average blood glucose levels over the past three months) in group 1 were lower at 5.8% compared to 6.53% in group 2 at 24 weeks. This difference, however, was not statistically significant. 

The authors concluded that replacing diet drinks with water after the main meal in obese adult women with type 2 diabetes might increase weight loss during a weight loss program.