It seems like the jury is still out on this. I get the impression, like most nutrition research, the answer will be "It's complicated."

> Some researchers believe that artificial sweeteners don’t satisfy people’s biological sugar cravings in the same manner as sugar and could lead to increased food intake. Still, the evidence is mixed.

> The strong sweetness of artificial sweeteners may cause you to become dependent on sweet flavor. This could increase your desire for sweet foods in general.

> Some observational studies link artificial sweeteners to weight gain, but evidence is mixed. Controlled studies suggest that artificially sweetened drinks don’t cause weight gain and may even aid weight loss.