Artificial sweeteners make people GAIN weight.

  Some researchers say, "yes." They say that artificial sweeteners "trick" the body into thinking that calories are coming. When the calories don't come, the body's response is hunger...making patients eat even more.

  A couple of studies in lab rats seem to support this theory. But there's no substantial proof that this occurs in humans.

  There's some research that suggests daily soda consumption...regular or diet...increases the risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome. But it's not clear whether soda is the cause...or the overall dietary habits of people who are daily soda drinkers.