Many people reach for diet soda as a “healthier” alternative to regular soda, hoping to cut sugar and calories. But while it might seem like a smart swap, research suggests that artificial sweeteners—like aspartame—could be doing more harm than good.

Here’s the deal: when you drink something sweet, your body expects calories to follow. But with artificial sweeteners, those calories never arrive. This can confuse your metabolism, leading to insulin spikes and increased hunger—not just for sweets, but for all kinds of food. As a result, you might end up eating more, not less, making it harder to manage your weight in the long run.