When people are trying to lose weight, they often drink diet fizzy drinks in order to cut calories. If you're also drinking diet drinks in order to lose weight, you could be surprised to learn that they can actually make you fatter. Some research indicates that diet soft drinks actually increase obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and do not contain the necessary water benefits that are needed for good hydration. 14-Year Study The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published the results of a 14-year study performed on 66,118 women over a period of 14 years. The study revealed that women who drank one 12-ounce diet soft drink each day had a 33 percent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than other women. Those who drank a 20-ounce sugar free drink each day had a 66 percent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Surprisingly, the risk among diet soft drink users was twice that of consumers who drank sugary drinks. How it Works Artificial sweeteners in diet fizzy drinks trick the human body into thinking it is preparing to absorb sugar. That's because artificial sweeteners are several hundred times sweeter than regular sugar is. As a result, the body produces increased levels of insulin, which in turn increases the amount of belly fat a person has. In addition, it slows down the metabolism, increases hunger, and can lead to dehydration. Alternatives Rather than substituting sugary soft drinks with diet drinks, those who are trying to lose weight should switch to drinking plain water instead. Water benefits dieters by making them feel fuller so that they will not be tempted to eat as much at mealtimes. It also helps to flush out the toxins that are present in the body, and this is important because some diets help eliminate more toxic substances than others do. Unlike soft drinks, water has no calories, so dieters can drink as much of it as they like without fearing they will gain weight as a result. Best of all, it does not cause individuals to crave sugars or starches as is the case when drinking fizzy drinks. How to Enjoy Water Benefits Many people opt for diet drinks when they are trying to lose weight because it is more convenient for them. In order to make it easy to enjoy the benefits of water, individuals who are concerned about their health should consider investing in coolers for their home or office. Water coolers come in a variety of sizes, and can even be plumbed into existing water lines so that refilling bottles is not necessary. They can also be delivered anywhere, which means that drinking fresh water can be just as convenient as popping the top off a can of a fizzy drink. Water benefits everyone, not just those who are trying to lose weight. For many, having water coolers available will mean the difference between choosing a healthy glass of water and making the poor decision of opting for a fizzy drink!