Brands increasingly deploy linguistic sleight-of-hand in marketing strategies. A case in point is Nayuki's Tea's "Slim Little Green Bottle" beverage, where promotional visuals emphasize kale, oranges, lemons, and apples while discreetly clarifying that "slim" and "lightweight" solely describe the container's rectangular shape—not any functional benefits.

These descriptors, deeply associated with weight management in consumers' minds, sparked allegations of corporate deception across social media. Similar tactics surface industry-wide: terms like "light body" appear alongside microscopic disclaimers stating they merely reference "a refreshed state after consumption," detached from actual physiological effects.

Does this kale-centric elixir truly deliver slimming results? Dr. Li Yingjie, a clinical nutrition specialist at Tongji University, dismantles the myth. While raw kale boasts just 43 kcal per 100g and high fiber content—potentially curbing calorie intake—the reality diverges sharply. Beverage chains routinely drown the vegetable's bitterness in honey, syrups, fruits, and additives. A single doctored serving can rocket past 200 kcal, transforming purported "diet water" into "sugar-laden sabotage" that may actually promote weight gain. Relying on such drinks for fat reduction, Li concludes, proves fundamentally unreliable.

Further scrutiny targets Nayuki's "zero added sugar, 100% sweetness from fruits" pledge. Nutritionist Lili dismantles this technicality: fruit-juice sugars metabolize identically to added sweeteners. Marketed as beverages, these constitute fiber-fortified sugary drinks; as meal replacements, they become "nutritional wastelands"—devoid of proteins and healthy fats while delivering empty carbohydrates.

Legally, such marketing dances on the edge of false advertising. Lawyer Yao Kun of Beijing Kangda Law Firm notes how "Slim Little Green Bottle" inherently suggests weight-loss properties, exploiting psychological associations. Though disclaimers exist, their inconspicuous placement risks consumer oversight. Companies engaging in such practices face regulatory penalties—including fines and corrective mandates—plus potential consumer litigation for damages.