Easy to take when slightly reduced (5)
I believe the answer is:
light
'easy' is the definition.
('light' can be similar in meaning to 'easy')
'when slightly reduced' is the wordplay.
'reduced' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (reducing the letters in the clue shows the answer).
'LIGHT' is hidden in the letters of 'when slightly'.
'to take' is the link.
(Other definitions for light that I've seen before include "What smoker may be requesting" , "Not heavy; understanding" , "skedaddle!" , "Moored vessel warning sailors of a hazard" , "Hint, clue" .)