Sweetened beverages
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Lemon Lime
20 oz
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 12
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Lemon Lime 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
-
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 -
Bodyarmor Flash I.v. Zero Lemon Lime Bodyarmor · 20 fl oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 67 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Prime Hydration Drink - Lemon Lime Prime Hydration · 500 mL No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher Glacier Cherry Gatorade · 12 fl oz (355 mL) No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 56 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Lemon Lime Hydration Drink Ghost No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 59 out of 100 , 47 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Thirst Quencher Lemon Lime
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 5.8 g / 100 ml minus 12 points
- Energy 23 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]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 23 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.1 g |
| Sugars | 5.8 g |
| Added sugars | 5.8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 bottle (591 ml)
Ingredients
- water
- sugar (high concern)
- dextrose (high concern)
- citric acid
- salt
- sodium citrate
- monopotassium phosphate
- gum arabic
- glycerol ester of rosin
- natural flavor
- yellow 5 (high concern)
Label text, as published
water, sugar, dextrose, citric acid, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, gum arabic, glycerol ester of rosin, natural flavor, yellow 5,
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sweetened beverages on GoodSwap
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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 -
Rubi Raspberry Lemon Lime Bai · 530 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeine Score 69 out of 100 Good -
Sports Drink Bodyarmor · 16 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugars Score 36 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
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
-
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
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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