Sweetened beverages
Gatorade Mashup
28 fl oz
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 12
Gatorade Mashup scores 12 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sports and electrolyte drinks
-
Fruit Punch Sports Drink Bodyarmor · 12 fl oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 53 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Bodyarmor No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 77 out of 100 , 65 points higher -
Gatorade thirst quencher Gatorade No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 89 out of 100 , 77 points higher -
Sports drink sports beverage Body Armor Nutrition Llc No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 54 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Organic lemon flavored thirst quencher juice beverage from concentrates, organic lemon R.W. Knudsen Family · 32 fl oz/1 Quart/946 mL No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 74 out of 100 , 62 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Mashup
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Yellow 5 minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Sugars 5.6 g / 100 ml minus 12 points
- Energy 22 kcal / 100 ml minus 2 points
100 − 88 = 12
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][11]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 22 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5.6 g |
| Sugars | 5.6 g |
| Added sugars | 5.8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 360 mL
Ingredients
- Water
- Sugar (high concern)
- Dextrose (high concern)
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Salt
- Natural Flavor
- Monopotassium Phosphate
- Gum Arabic
- Glycerol Ester Of Rosin
- Yellow 5 (high concern)
- Red 40 (high concern)
Label text, as published
Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Natural Flavor, Monopotassium Phosphate, Gum Arabic, Glycerol Ester Of Rosin, Yellow 5, Red 40
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sweetened beverages on GoodSwap
-
Sparkling Orange Celsius · 12 fl oz (355 mL) Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeineNo synthetic dyes Score 66 out of 100 Good -
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 -
Sport Hydration Nunn Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsSeed-oil free Score 47 out of 100 Okay -
Strawberry Banana Lyte Bodyarmor · 16 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersNo synthetic dyes Score 62 out of 100 Good -
Gatorade - Glacier Freeze Gatorade · 591 mL Contains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains added sugars Score 12 out of 100 Bad
More from Gatorade
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of 16 December 2008 on food additives
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
legislation.gov.uk
-
“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes
“FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”
fda.gov
-
California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition
“beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
-
21 CFR 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5
“shall specifically declare the presence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 by listing the color additive as FD&C Yellow No. 5 among the list of ingredients.”
ecfr.gov
-
List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review
“The table below includes select food ingredients (including food and color additives), food contact substances, and contaminants under FDA review as of May 12, 2026 .”
fda.gov
-
HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)
“Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”
fda.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