Sales of low-sugar, zero-sugar and sugar-free foods are expanding rapidly in South Korea as blood sugar management draws more attention, but nutrition specialists say consumers need to understand what the labels actually mean before reaching for these products.
The prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 19 and older stands at 12.0% for men and 6.9% for women, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 2024 national health statistics released on the 2nd. The number of diabetes patients in the country reached 5.33 million as of 2022. Adding roughly 14 million people with prediabetes brings the high-risk population to nearly 20 million.
With diabetes no longer confined to middle-aged and older adults, a growing number of consumers are trying to cut sugar at the point of purchase. Yet few understand precisely what low-sugar, zero and sugar-free claims mean, or where those claims fall short.
Low Sugar Is Not the Same as Healthy
Under standards set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, "low sugar" means a product contains less than 5 grams of sugar per 100 grams, or less than 2.5 grams per 100 milliliters. People who regularly eat sweet foods can use such products to reduce their sugar intake. "Sugar-free" means no sugar has been added, but natural sugars or alternative sweeteners may still be present. "Zero" drinks are products with sharply reduced sugar and calories.
None of these labels, however, makes a product a health food. Manufacturers often add fat, other carbohydrate ingredients or artificial sweeteners while cutting sugar, so judging a product by the claim on the front of the package is a mistake.
Experts advised looking at the full nutrition panel — total calories, sugar, fat, saturated fat, protein and dietary fiber — rather than checking only the low-sugar, zero or sugar-free claim. Because a serving size may differ from how much a person actually eats, they stressed the importance of calculating nutrients based on one's own portion.
The same applies to zero-calorie drinks. Switching from sugary beverages to zero drinks helps cut sugar and calorie intake, but experts cautioned against simply drinking more zero beverages as a result. The right approach, they said, is to make water or unsweetened drinks the default and choose low-sugar or sugar-free products only as needed.
Consumers also need to distinguish between sugars in whole foods and those in processed products. There is no reason to avoid natural foods that contain sugar, such as fruit. Experts said maintaining overall dietary balance by eating a variety of foods — vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes — matters more.
When choosing low-sugar products, it is best to check the main nutrients — sugar, total calories, fat, saturated fat, protein and dietary fiber — along with the ingredient list. Rather than judging a product by a single "low sugar" claim, the key is to choose based on one's own eating habits and nutritional needs.
