Zero sugar is zero calories??? NO!!

The craze for 'Zero Sugar' is sweeping through our society recently. As people become enthusiastic about zero-calorie foods, companies are continuously releasing zero sugar products such as beverages, alcoholic drinks, snacks, and ice cream. These products are characterized by their emphasis on zero sugar. However, zero sugar does not mean zero calories.

According to the survey results conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency in July last year, involving 2,000 consumers regarding consumer purchasing behavior and perceptions related to zero products, 53.3% of respondents answered that "foods labeled as zero are most likely zero calories." Although various products such as zero cookies and zero jelly have been released, these are not calorie-free. They do not contain sugar, but that does not mean they are free of calories, so caution should be exercised when consuming them.

The standard for labeling zero sugar is less than 0.5g of sugars per 100ml. Meanwhile, the standard for labeling zero calories is less than 4kcal per 100ml. In other words, zero sugar and zero calories are not the same, and a product can be zero sugar but not zero calories.

Zero sugar uses artificial sweeteners to provide sweetness. Some artificial sweeteners are difficult to digest and can cause problems with gut health. In particular, they can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, leading to constipation, diarrhea, gas, and other gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, they should be consumed carefully, as one cannot always feel assured when eating them. Especially for high-calorie foods, regardless of whether alternative sugars are used, the high fat content can harm health, so caution is necessary.

Zero can neither always be considered dangerous nor always beneficial. However, in the era of zero, these points should be taken into account to maintain balance in food consumption and intake.