Diet soda versus water: a two-year weight-loss study

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA two-year trial from the University of Liverpool found overweight adults on diet drinks lost about as much weight as those drinking water, the New York Post reports.

2. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorIt followed four hundred and ninety-three people, and only two hundred and twenty made it to the end.

3. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI'd call that a poor review for the water.

4. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI'll give the study a six. Clean opening, a flat middle, and the aftertaste is that the American Beverage Association paid for it.

5. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA four. Notes of stale lemon, a damp cardboard finish, and a quiet sense that the second year was unassisted for a reason.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA four?

7. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorIt compared diet drinks with water, not with sugary ones. That's like judging a pastry against a glass of tap and calling it dessert.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorFair. Though a dietitian, Alix Turoff, said it doesn't show the diet drinks caused the weight loss. I'm bumping you to a five.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorFor lunch I had a cold crumpet standing over the sink. I ate it while reading the forecast for two thousand nine, in my head.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCrackers from the glovebox. Chat, what's the saddest thing you've eaten for lunch this year? Dale, you can't win this one.