Caution required over drinks labeled low calorie

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.

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 8220;XX per cent cut.8221;

Japan8217;s standards concerning such labels are complicated. Soft drinks with less than 20 kilocalories per 100 milliliters can be labeled 8220;Low calorie,8221; 8220;Calorie off,8221; 8220;Diet8221; or 8220;Light.8221; Two 500 ml bottles of such beverages have around the same number of calories as a bowl of rice.