Coke Zero vs Water

Question
Hi,
Both my friend and I are curious about Coke Zero.  I don't drink any kind of pop and prefer water because I think it is better for your body over any other kind of beverage.

My friend swears by the new Coke Zero and claims that there is no way you can gain any weight from it, regardless of how much you drink. I looked at the nutritional index on the side of the Coke Zero can and it does say zero sugar, zero calories etc.

But I can't imagine it can be good for your body regardless?
She is laughing at all the water I drink while she enjoys this Coke but I just can't see the Coke not causing some weight gain or adverse effects at some point ?! She drinks about 2-4 cans a day.

Any light you can shed on this would be great,

Corey

Answer
Here's major ingredients of Coke Zero:

Carbonated water   
Caramel
Acesulfame   
Aspartame   
Caffeine
Natural flavors
0.5 cal per 3.4 oz.   

As to weight gain, you might be right because, though close to zero calories, it has intensive sweet taste and as such, causes your body releasing insulin, which in its own turn causes increase in hunger. If you resist and don't increase food intake, the sense of hunger forces your body to slow down metabolism. If you don't resist and eat more, even very healthy food, you plainly overeat. In both cases, you are worse off than drinking plain water.

Read more:

Even a Glance at Foods Releases Insulin
http://dietandbody.com/article1082.html

Anti-insulin : Pro-insulin Ratio in Foods
http://dietandbody.com/metabolic_syndrome//?page_id=8

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