Light product

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Light (English light = light, sometimes also (in advertising language) lite ) is a common additional term for food and luxury goods . Depending on the product, light stands for a reduced content of ingredients that are considered unhealthy such as fat , sugar , ethanol , nicotine, or the absence of them. The term light is not legally defined. It can therefore mean , for example, energy-reduced (food with a lower physiological calorific value ), low-fat, sugar- free, low- carbonation , low- caffeine etc.

However, some of these terms are defined by law. Food can only be described as low-fat if it contains at least 30 percent less fat than comparable products. So-called "low-energy" foods may contain a maximum of 170 kJ (= 40 kcal ) per 100 grams, liquid foods a maximum of 80 kJ (= 20 kcal). So-called "energy- reduced " foods must have a physiological calorific value that is at least 30 percent lower than comparable foods.

In the European Union , new regulations have been in force since January 19, 2007, which are intended to regulate the use of the term light (e.g. for dairy products ) or even prohibit it (e.g. for cigarettes ). There were transition periods until July 1st.

Since January 1, 2016 can spreadable fats with a fat share than 62% that yet a Three quarter Grease - or half fat - butter had to call just or in addition a light or reduced fat are identified; Spreadable fats with a milk fat content of less than 39% or more than 41, but less than 60% milk fat content. which are still to be referred to as milk spreads with the specification of the specific fat content can also be named light or reduced-fat.

criticism

Many nutritionists now doubt that low-fat and / or low-sugar light products are healthier than conventional ones. Higher quantities of light products are often consumed than of conventional products, since the consumer has the feeling that he can do so with a “good conscience”.

Some critics assume that the body generally reacts to a sweet taste by releasing insulin , because it expects an increase in blood sugar level through sugar intake. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels. If the sweet taste is caused by calorie-free sweeteners , the body also releases insulin, which is why the blood sugar level drops below normal. In addition, sweeteners lead to cravings and increased food intake. This theory has been refuted by numerous scientific studies. A meta-study from 2007 listed 19 studies, of which only three indicated an appetite-increasing effect and three indicated an appetite-reducing effect; all the others showed no influence of sweeteners on hunger or calorie intake.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006
  2. ↑ Art. 75 Paragraph 1, Art. 78 Paragraph 1 f) with Annex VII Part VII Section II No. 3 and with Appendix II to Annex VII of Regulation (EC) No. 1308/2013 , at the date of entry into force Art. 232 of this Regulation
  3. ↑ Bellisle, F. & Drewnowski, A. (2007): Intense sweeteners, energy intake and the control of body weight. In: Eur J Clin Nutr. Vol. 61, pp. 691-700. PMID 17299484 doi : 10.1038 / sj.ejcn.1602649