Diet food

Light ( engl. light = easy, sometimes lite) is a common additional designation for food or beverages. Depending on the product is light for a reduced content of regarded as unhealthy ingredients such as fat, sugar, ethanol, nicotine, or the waiver thereof. The term light is not legally defined. Therefore, it can mean, for example reduced-calorie, low-fat, sugar-free, low carbonated, with little caffeine, etc.

Some of these terms, however, are defined by law. Food may only be referred to as reduced fat, if they contain at least 40 percent less fat than regular products. Low-calorie foods may contain a maximum of 50 kilocalories per 100 grams, drinks and soups maximum of 20 kilocalories. Low in calories are products that contain at least 40 percent fewer calories than conventional foods.

In the European Union as from 19 January 2007, new regulations in place that should govern the use of the term light (eg dairy products) or even prohibit (eg recently for cigarettes). By July 1, transition periods were considered.

Criticism

Many nutritionists doubt by now that fat and / or low-sugar light products are healthier than conventional ones. From light products often have higher amounts were consumed than by conventional, as the consumer have the feeling to be able to do so " in good conscience ".

Some critics believe that the body generally react to sweet taste with a release of insulin, because he expects an increase in blood sugar levels by sugar intake. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels. Become the sweet taste caused by non-caloric sweetener that body releases insulin therefore, which is why the blood sugar levels absinke below normal level. In addition sweetener lead to cravings seizures and increased food intake. This theory is refuted by numerous scientific studies. A meta-analysis from 2007 lists 19 studies, only three of which an appetite -enhancing and three specify an appetite -reducing effect, all others showed no influence of sweeteners on hunger and caloric intake.