Iced teas
Arizona Diet Green Tea, Blueberry
128 fl oz/1 gal/3.78 L
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains sugar alcohols
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 59
Arizona Diet Green Tea, Blueberry scores 59 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 bottled tea
-
Oi Ocha Unsweetened Green Tea Ito En · 500 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Jasmine Green Tea Unsweetened Ito En · 2 L/67.6 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Sparkling Botanical Tea Rishi · 12 fl oz/355 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 99 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Bold green tea Ito En (North America) Inc. · 16.9 fl oz/500 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Organic elegant jasmine green tea Ito En (North America) Inc. · 16.9 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 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
Diet Green Tea, Blueberry
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Sorbitol minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
100 − 41.5 = 58.5 → 59
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 3 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.1 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 8 OZA (240 ml)
Ingredients
- PREMIUM BREWED BLEND OF GREEN TEAS USING FILTERED WATER
- SORBITOL
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- CITRIC ACID
- FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FOR COLOR
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
PREMIUM BREWED BLEND OF GREEN TEAS USING FILTERED WATER, SORBITOL, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FOR COLOR, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)
“‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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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
-
“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