It has been said that if you repeat something enough people will begin to believe it. Regulatory agencies around the globe have confirmed the safety of low- and no-calorie sweeteners time and again, but false information about these ingredients is so common that unfortunately some people believe it as fact.

Take, for an example, an article entitled “4 Ways Diet Soda Could Make You Gain Weight.” A headline like that is bound to draw people in. But when they actually read the article, they’ll learn there really is no science to back up the headline.

The article claims studies have found that diet soda is linked to weight gain but concedes “the problem is that these results come largely from observational studies and may suffer from a bias called reverse causation.” And it even includes a comment from Harvard researcher Vasanti Malik debunking the headline -- “Really, the evidence is pointing to benefit of diet consumption and weight maintenance at least in the short term.”

The fact is low- and no-calorie beverages can help people manage their weight. A recent British study published in Nutrients confirms previous research findings which have shown that replacing caloric beverages with low- and no-calorie beverages is associated with lower calorie and lower added sugar intake overall and can be a useful tool for weight management.

Here in the United States, Barry Popkin, Ph.D, a vocal beverage critic industry who has studied the issue, says, “none of the studies make a convincing case that no-calorie sodas contribute to weight gain.”

To get the facts about low- and no-calorie sweeteners, visit LetsClearItUp.org.