Sweetened beverages
Gatorade - Glacier Freeze
591 mL
Score
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 12
Gatorade - Glacier Freeze 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
-
Gatorade Zero Glacier Cherry Gatorade · 12 fl oz/355 mL No synthetic dyes · No added sugars Score 56 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Gatorade thirst quencher Gatorade No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 89 out of 100 , 77 points higher -
Hydration Drink Cherry Freeze Prime No synthetic dyes · No added sugars Score 58 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Glacier Cherry Gatorade Zero · 20 fl oz/1.25 PT/591 mL No synthetic dyes · No added sugars Score 55 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Fruit Punch Sports Drink Bodyarmor · 12 fl oz No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 53 out of 100 , 41 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Gatorade - Glacier Freeze
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Blue 1 minus 7.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 1.5 points
- Modified starch minus 1 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]
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 portion (20 fl oz)
Ingredients
- WATER
- SUGAR (high concern)
- DEXTROSE (high concern)
- CITRIC ACID
- SALT
- SODIUM CITRATE
- MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
- MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN
- BLUE 1 (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
WATER, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, CITRIC ACID, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, GLYCEROL ESTER OF ROSIN, BLUE 1.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Pet 1 polyethylene terephthalate
Context only: no points in v1.
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 -
Strawberry Banana Lyte Bodyarmor · 16 fl oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersNo synthetic dyes Score 62 out of 100 Good -
Thirst Quencher Orange Gatorade · 12 oz g Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains added sugars Score 12 out of 100 Bad -
Fruit Punch Gatorade Dye with an EU warning labelContains 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
-
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
-
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
-
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