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Yakult launches Yakult Light, a vitamin-enriched, less-sugar variant, in Indonesia
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T Yakult Indonesia Persada, a producer of Yakult probiotic drink, has launched Yakult Light, which offers less sugar and more vitamins compared to Yakult Original.
To be sold at major retailers in Java and Bali starting on Oct. 1, Yakult Light can be differentiated from Yakult Original by its blue packaging as opposed to the former’s red color. This new variant is produced at the Yakult factory in Mojokerto, East Java, with a five-pack price of Rp 13,000 (US$0.85) in Java and Rp 13,500 outside Java.
Marketing director of Yakult Indonesia Persada, Ryojiro Tawara noted that the company targets the consumption of 250,000 bottles of Yakult Light every day in Indonesia compared to Yakult Original's 7 million bottles, carving its own niche rather than competing with Yakult Original.
With the launch, Indonesia joins countries including Japan, China and the United States where Yakult Light is being offered as an alternative to Yakult Original, which has been sold for more than 30 years in Indonesia.
Compared to Yakult Original, Yakult Light contains half of the total calories at 25 kcal compared to the former’s 50 kcal, and less than a third of the original’s sugar content at 3 grams. Therefore, every 65 milliliter (ml) serving of Yakult Light comprises about 6 percent of the Health Ministry’s recommended daily-sugar consumption.
To maintain its original taste, Yakult Light uses a sugar substitute that contains maltitol and steviol glycosides. At the same time, this new variant is fortified with vitamin D and vitamin E, which are important for bone and nerve health, respectively.
Similar to Yakult Original, Yakult Light contains no artificial colors or preservatives, with a shelf life of 40 days.
Both Yakult variants trace their history back to research conducted by Russian zoologist and Nobel prize winner Ilya Mechnikov, who discovered the secret to longevity in the consumption of fermented milk of Bulgarian farmers.
Mechnikov's innovation became the basis for further research by the Japanese microbiologist Minoru Shirota, who in 1930 identified and cultured the bacterial L. casei Shirota strain. The bacteria, named after Shirota, later became an important component of the Yakult probiotic drink in 1935.
According to Endang Sutriswati Rahayu, professor of Food Microbiology at Gadjah Mada University, microorganisms that live in the digestive tract known as the gut microbiota play an important role in nutrient absorption.
An imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can have a negative impact on a person's health. Dysbiosis has been linked to a number of conditions and diseases, including stunting, obesity and diabetes.
Probiotics, continued Endang, contain live microorganisms that are consumed for the benefit of the gut microbiota.
“Consumption of probiotics can help restore the gut microbiota to their normal condition, which is followed by other health benefits. Of course, probiotics consumption only is not enough; it must also be accompanied by a healthier lifestyle,” she said.
