The zero-calorie soda market is growing rapidly. According to the Food Industry Statistics Information, Korea's zero-calorie soda market expanded roughly threefold in just two years, from about 200 billion won ($145 million) in 2021 to approximately 600 billion won ($435 million) in 2023. The "0 kcal" label offers a kind of reassurance to consumers who want to enjoy sweet beverages but worry about calories. Buoyed by the comfort that they can drink as much as they want without gaining weight, related consumption is climbing sharply. But is this reassurance truly warranted?
A research team at a Korean university recently released the results of a two-week analysis of blood sugar changes in 66 healthy adults. The analysis showed that when subjects drank only zero-calorie cola, blood sugar rose less than with regular cola. But results differed when the drinks were consumed with food. One in four subjects showed a greater blood sugar spike than when drinking regular cola. The research team suggested that artificial sweeteners in zero-calorie drinks may disrupt the gut microbiome or stimulate sweet taste receptors in the intestines, potentially affecting the absorption rate of sugar in food.
Voices warning against repeated consumption are also emerging. The Korean Diabetes Association and the Korean Nutrition Society have cautioned that long-term, heavy consumption of zero-calorie beverages could increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease mortality by up to 25 to 30 percent. While short-term weight improvement effects are confirmed, the two societies share the view that long-term consumption has a negative impact on health.
In particular, sugar alcohols ending in "-ol" among artificial sweeteners, such as erythritol and sorbitol, require special caution. Because they are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, consuming them beyond a certain amount can trigger side effects such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. According to a paper by the Korea Food Research Institute, adults who consume more than 40 to 50 grams of sugar alcohol per day may experience abdominal pain-related problems. This is equivalent to two to three bags of sugar-free chocolate or about three low-sugar protein bars. In other words, indiscriminately consuming low-sugar products can actually place a greater burden on the digestive system.
If indigestion symptoms persist for more than three months, reducing intake of related foods should be the first priority. Combining dietary adjustments with professional treatment can more effectively alleviate digestive discomfort. In Korean medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal prescriptions are used in combination to help restore gastrointestinal function. Acupuncture treatment can stimulate meridian points associated with digestive function, such as Hapgok (LI4) and Taechung (LR3), promoting the smooth circulation of qi and blood and helping normalize gastrointestinal motility.
According to a paper published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, a study of 76 patients with functional dyspepsia who received eight acupuncture sessions over four weeks showed an improvement rate more than 60 percent higher than the control group that did not receive acupuncture treatment. In this study, in addition to nine basic acupuncture points for indigestion, additional points were applied based on each patient's individual symptoms. This reflects a characteristic approach of Korean medicine clinical practice, in which prescriptions are tailored to each patient's condition rather than simply using fixed acupuncture points based on the disease alone.
Zero-calorie beverages are by no means health drinks. They should be recognized as merely beverages with less sugar, and efforts should be made to shift dietary habits toward unsweetened drinks or water. Keep in mind that the "0 kcal" label does not reduce all health burdens to zero.
