Appetite control
Red Bull Pink Addition
12 oz
Score
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains caffeine
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 88
Red Bull Pink Addition scores 88 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 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 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
- minus 1 points Natural flavors: "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. Info
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
The Receipt
Pink Addition
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1 points
- Artificial flavors minus 0.5 points
- Caffeine minus 0.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 0.5 points
100 − 12.5 = 87.5 → 88
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 can
Ingredients
- Carbonated Water
- Citric Acid
- Taurine
- Sodium Citrate
- Natural Flavors
- Artificial Flavors
- Caffeine
- Color (not recognized)
- Sucralose (moderate concern)
- Acesulfame K (moderate concern)
- Xanthan Gum
- Niacinamide
- Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6)
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Vitamin B12
Label text, as published
Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Taurine, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors, Artificial Flavors, Caffeine, Color, Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Xanthan Gum, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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
-
Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
“For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams* a day — that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee — as an amount not generally associated with negative effects.”
fda.gov
-
Caffeine (EFSA topic page; Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, 2015)
“Caffeine intakes from all sources up to 200mg per day consumed throughout the day do not raise safety concerns for the foetus.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 4.1 (beverages with high caffeine content)
“‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’”
eur-lex.europa.eu