Fruit-based beverages
Ocean Spray Diet cranberry pomegranate
64 fl oz (1.89 L)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 59
Ocean Spray Diet cranberry pomegranate scores 59 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better juices and juice drinks
-
Pure cranberry juice Ocean Spray · 32 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Pure Cranberry Lakewood · 240 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Organic Just Cranberry Juice R.W. Knudsen · 32 fl oz/1 qt/946 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 99 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Cranberry 100% Juice Simple Truth · 32 fl oz (1 qt) 946 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Just Cranberry Juice R.W. Knudsen · 32 fl oz/1 qt/946 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 97 out of 100 , 38 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Diet cranberry pomegranate
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Pectin minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Energy 2 kcal / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 41 = 59
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 2 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.8 g |
| Sugars | 0.4 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 8 OZA (240 ml)
Ingredients
- Filtered water
- cranberry juice (water, cranberry juice concentrate)
- pomegranate juice (water, pomegranate juice concentrate)
- natural flavor
- malic acid
- pectin
- fumaric acid
- vegetable concentrate for color
- sodium citrate
- ascorbic acid (vitamin c)
- sucralose (moderate concern)
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
Filtered water, cranberry juice (water, cranberry juice concentrate), pomegranate juice (water, pomegranate juice concentrate), natural flavor, malic acid, pectin, fumaric acid, vegetable concentrate for color, sodium citrate, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), sucralose, acesulfame potassium.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More fruit-based beverages on GoodSwap
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Tropical Citrus Energy Nutrient Enhanced Water Glaceau · 20 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsContains caffeine Score 16 out of 100 Bad -
Diet Cranberry Flavored Juice Drink Ocean Spray · 1.89 L Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 39 out of 100 Poor -
Boosted Smoothie Rainbow Machine Naked · 450 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 39 out of 100 Poor -
Dragon Fruit Mango Organic Lemon Water Lemon Perfect · 15.2 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersCertified organic Score 80 out of 100 Excellent -
Healthy Balance Apple Flavored Reduced Sugar Juice Cocktail From Concentrate Old Orchard · 1.89 L Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
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More from Ocean Spray
Sources
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Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org