title: The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss and weight maintenance: A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of water versus beverages sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) on body weight in subjects enrolled in a year-long behavioral weight loss treatment program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a randomized equivalence design with NNS or water beverages as the main factor in a trial among 303 weight-stable people with overweight and obesity. All participants participated in a weight loss program plus assignment to consume 24 ounces (710 ml) of water or NNS beverages daily for 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NNS and water treatments were non-equivalent, with NNS treatment showing greater weight loss at the end of 1 year. At 1 year subjects receiving water had maintained a 2.45 ± 5.59 kg weight loss while those receiving NNS beverages maintained a loss of 6.21 ± 7.65 kg (P < 0.001 for difference).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Water and NNS beverages were not equivalent for weight loss and maintenance during a 1-year behavioral treatment program. NNS beverages were superior for weight loss and weight maintenance in a population consisting of regular users of NNS beverages who either maintained or discontinued consumption of these beverages and consumed water during a structured weight loss program. These results suggest that NNS beverages can be an effective tool for weight loss and maintenance within the context of a weight management program.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Jimikaye
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardel
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Holly R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.affiliation: Weight Watchers, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Gary D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Zhaoxing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Temple University, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Alexis C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wojtanowski
authors.affiliation: Weight Watchers, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Vander Veur
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Temple University, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Herring
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brill
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: James O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064306:Non-Nutritive Sweeteners / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D064306:Non-Nutritive Sweeteners; D014867:Water