Does diet soda reduce hunger?

Diet soda does not effectively reduce hunger and may actually increase it in some cases. According to Andrew Huberman, the perception of sweetness from diet sodas, even though they contain no calories, can stimulate appetite. This is because the sweetness can trick the brain into expecting calories, which may not be delivered, potentially leading to increased hunger. Furthermore, Andrew Huberman discusses how consuming diet sodas can create a paired association with food, leading to cravings and increased appetite, especially when paired with certain foods like pizza 1.

In another conversation with Robert Lustig, it was discussed that consuming sweeteners like those in diet sodas doesn't reduce calorie intake effectively. Instead, it can lead to an insulin response, which can promote weight gain and increased appetite compared to consuming water 2.