Caution required over drinks labeled low calorie

Cola, jelly, yogurt and canned cocktails labeled "Calorie off" or "Zero calorie" are attracting not only the appearance concious but middle-aged and elderly people with metabolic syndrome

Cola, jelly, yogurt and canned cocktails labeled “Calorie off” or “Zero calorie” are being marketed one after another and are attracting not only those concerned about their appearance but middle-aged and elderly people with metabolic syndrome and other health problems.

But health experts say that a proper understanding is essential if these drinks are to be appropriately added to one’s diet.

A Japanese government survey in 2005 found that about 9.2 million people in Japan aged between 40 and 74 had metabolic syndrome, with fat pushing against internal organs seriously affecting their blood pressure and blood sugar level.

Those with incipient metabolic syndrome numbered around 9.8 million.

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One of the preventive measures one can take is to refrain from ingesting too many calories. For those who cannot give up their favourite food items, low-calorie options are welcome.

The problem is that consumers do not fully understand the various labels such as “XX per cent cut.”

Japan’s standards concerning such labels are complicated. Soft drinks with less than 20 kilocalories per 100 milliliters can be labeled “Low calorie,” “Calorie off,” “Diet” or “Light.” Two 500 ml bottles of such beverages have around the same number of calories as a bowl of rice.

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