Waters
Propel Electrolyte Water Beverage
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 60
Propel Electrolyte Water Beverage scores 60 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 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 flavored and vitamin water
-
Nutrient enhanced water Core · 23.9 fl oz/707 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Watermelon infused water Hint · 6 × 16 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Hint Hint · 1.5 gal/5.7 L/1 PT Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Smartwater Alkaline Smartwater · 20 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Cucumber Lime Glaceau Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 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
Electrolyte Water Beverage
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Sodium hexametaphosphate minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
100 − 40 = 60
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 bottle (500 ml)
Ingredients
- water
- citric acid
- sodium hexametaphosphate
- natural flavor
- salt
- potassium sorbet
- potassium citrate
- sodium citrate
- absorb acid (vitamin C) (not recognized)
- sucralose (moderate concern)
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
- calcium disidium EDTA
- calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5)
- niacinamide (vitamin B3)
- vitamin E acetate
- pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
Label text, as published
water, citric acid, sodium hexametaphosphate, natural flavor, salt, potassium sorbet, potassium citrate, sodium citrate, absorb acid (vitamin C), sucralose, acesulfame potassium, calcium disidium EDTA, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E acetate, pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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Purified Drinking Water Winco Foods Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Mineral Water Carbonated Topo Chico · 12 mL No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
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More from Propel
-
Propel Propel · 16.9 fluid oz Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Fitness Water Propel Score 64 out of 100 Good -
Grape Flavored Electrolyte Water Propel · 20 oz Score 57 out of 100 Okay -
Kiwi Strawberry Electrolyte Water Beverage Mix Propel · 10 - 0.08 oz (2.4 g) packets (net wt 0.84 oz (24 g)) Score 43 out of 100 Okay
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
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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
-
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
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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
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“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