New Coca-Cola in Japan claims to promote weight loss-- Here's how it is different

In Japan, where the population is steadily aging, the market is shifting in ways that reflect the needs of an older demographic. Consumer habits are no longer driven purely by taste or trend, but by long-term wellness and health considerations.One of the most well-known global beverage brands, Coca-Cola, is not sitting idly in the face of this change. It's moving forward with an unexpected twist. It has come up with a drink that blends the familiar flavour of cola with ingredients that claim to support better digestion and fat management. Japan’s increasing demand for functional foods and beverages has inspired the company to enter the health-conscious space with something new.

What is Coca-Cola Plus?

Coca-Cola Plus is a product aimed squarely at older consumers who want to enjoy cola but without the usual health risks tied to sugary sodas. While Coca-Cola has released diet variants before, this new drink is a unique addition to health to the mix. So, what makes Coca-Cola Plus stand out?

As Japan’s population grows older, companies are finding ways to meet the unique health needs of their consumers. Coca-Cola Japan has introduced Coca-Cola Plus, a sugar-free, calorie-free soft drink that claims to help block fat absorption and reduce blood triglyceride levels when consumed with meals.

How is it different from the usual Coca-Cola?

Unlike traditional diet colas, Coca-Cola Plus is being marketed not just as a "less harmful" alternative, but as a drink that might actually benefit your health. According to Coca-Cola Japan, “drinking one bottle each day along with meals will both reduce the absorption of fat from the food and moderate the levels of triglycerides in the blood following the meal.”

It contains a special dietary fibre

Each bottle contains five grams of indigestible dextrin, a type of dietary fibre, along with other added fibres.

These components are said to assist digestion and help reduce fat absorption during meals. However, this isn’t a drink you can sip on all day. Coca-Cola Plus has a recommended usage: to consume one bottle per day during meals, ideally split into three 150ml servings.The company claims that this routine use can lead to a seven per cent reduction in triglyceride levels when compared to consuming a regular diet cola, as stated on the Coca-Cola Plus website.

While the idea of a “healthy Coke” might sound too good to be true, Coca-Cola is being careful not to overpromise. Rather than labelling it a health drink, they refer to it as a Tokuho Cola. In Japanese, Tokuho stands for Tokutei Hokenyo Shokuhin, which translates to “Food for Specified Health Uses”, a classification for products that provide health benefits but haven’t gone through the full process required to be considered medical-grade health food.This cautious but clever labelling allows Coca-Cola to market the drink to health-conscious adults without running foul of regulatory standards. It’s especially targeted toward consumers over 40 who still enjoy the taste of cola but are looking for safer, waistline-friendly options.