Sweetened beverages
Gatorade Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Glacier Cherry
12 fl oz (355 mL)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 56
Gatorade Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Glacier Cherry scores 56 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 sports and electrolyte drinks
-
Electrolyte sport water Body Armor Nutrition · 33.8 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 42 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 , 42 points higher -
Gatorade, Water Gatorade · 1 23.7 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Gatorade Zero (fruit punch) Gatorade · 12 fl oz/355 mL Not ultra-processed · No sucralose Score 90 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Electrolyte Electrolit Zero · 21 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 42 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Glacier Cherry
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 1.5 points
- Modified starch minus 1.5 points
- Glycerol ester of rosin (ester gum) minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
100 − 44.5 = 55.5 → 56
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 BOTTLE 12 FL OZ (360 ml)
Ingredients
- Water
- citric acid
- natural flavor
- sodium citrate
- salt
- monopotassium phosphate
- modified food starch
- mixed triglycerides (not recognized)
- sucralose (moderate concern)
- glycerol ester of rosin
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
Water, citric acid, natural flavor, sodium citrate, salt, monopotassium phosphate, modified food starch, mixed triglycerides, sucralose, glycerol ester of rosin, acesulfame potassium.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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Doubleshot Energy Energy Coffee Beverage Starbucks · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Energy Drink Red Bull · 250 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains caffeineContains artificial flavors Score 20 out of 100 Poor -
Prebiotic Soda Cranberry Flavor Poppi · 12 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 47 out of 100 Okay -
Sports Drink Bodyarmor · 28 fl oz Ultra-processedContains added sugars Score 37 out of 100 Poor -
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More from Gatorade
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
“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