Energy drinks
POWERade ZERO Grape
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 64
POWERade ZERO Grape scores 64 out of 100 (Good) 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 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
- minus 3 points 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: flavoring, non-nutritive sweetener and sequestrant. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sports and electrolyte drinks
-
Gatorade Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Gatorade · 12 fl oz/355 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Electrolyte sport water Body Armor Nutrition · 33.8 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Sport water alkaline water Bodyarmor Super Water · 23.7 fl oz/700 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Gatorade, Water Gatorade · 1 23.7 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Electrolyte Electrolit Zero · 21 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 34 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
POWERade ZERO Grape
Ingredients
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 2.5 points
- Disodium EDTA 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
- Salt 0.6 g / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 36 = 64
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.6 g |
Serving: 12 fl oz (360mL)
Ingredients
- grade zerut water
- citric acid
- electrolytes salt mono-potassium phosphate
- magnesium and calcun chlorides)
- natural and artificial flavors
- sucraluse acesulfame k. vitamins b3 (moderate concern)
- b6
- b12 (niacinamide piridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalaminte blue, ascorbic acid)
Label text, as published
grade zerut water, less than 1% of: citric acid, electrolytes salt mono-potassium phosphate, magnesium and calcun chlorides), natural and artificial flavors, sucraluse acesulfame k. vitamins b3, b6, b12 (niacinamide piridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalaminte blue, ascorbic acid (to protect fasts, clcium disodium edta (to protect color
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More from Powerade
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
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
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“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