Diet sodas may confuse the brain

From Liberty Mutual's Responsibility Project: "The idea that diet sodas mess with your taste receptors and might actually drive you toward sugary sweets isn't a new one, but the body of research behind it is increasing. The problem lies in the communication between the taste receptors in the esophagus and stomach and the brain, which waits for cues signaling that you've received calories, and becomes confused because it has been tricked by artificial sweeteners. That confusion, in turn, triggers sugar cravings and increased appetite, affecting metabolism and causing weight gains."