Sweetened beverages
Vitaminwater
500 mL
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 26
Vitaminwater scores 26 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Fructose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Sugar: 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 flavored and vitamin water
-
Clear Protein Water Tropical Orange Clean Simple Eats No added sugars · No fructose Score 72 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Clear Protein Water Dragon Fruit Clean Simple Eats No added sugars · No fructose Score 72 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Organic Lemon Water Lemon Perfect · 15.2 oz No added sugars · No fructose Score 81 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Molokai Coconut Bai · 14 oz No added sugars · No fructose Score 70 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Lemon Perfect Organic Lemon Water · 450 mL No added sugars · No fructose Score 80 out of 100 , 54 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Vitaminwater
Ingredients
- Fructose minus 20 points
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Sugars 4.6 g / 100 ml minus 9 points
- Energy 18 kcal / 100 ml minus 2 points
100 − 74.5 = 25.5 → 26
Can’t score above 79. Contains fructose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 18 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.6 g |
| Sugars | 4.6 g |
| Added sugars | 4.6 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
Serving: 1 serving (500 ml)
Ingredients
- Reverse Osmosis Water
- Crystalline Fructose (high concern)
- Cane Sugar (high concern)
- Vitamins C
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12 (ascorbic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cyanocobalamin)
- Electrolytes (calcium, Magnesium Lactate, Potassium Phosphate)
- Taurine
- Citric Acid
- Vegetable Juices
- Natural Flavors
- Zinc Gluconate
- Chromium Polynicotinate
Label text, as published
Reverse Osmosis Water, Crystalline Fructose, Cane Sugar, Vitamins C, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 (ascorbic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cyanocobalamin), Electrolytes (calcium, Magnesium Lactate, Potassium Phosphate), Taurine, Citric Acid, Vegetable Juices, Natural Flavors, Zinc Gluconate, Chromium Polynicotinate.
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 -
Sparkling Juice Beverage Izze · 24 × 8.4 fl oz (248 mL) cans - 201.6 fl oz total (1.57 gal / 5.96 L) Ultra-processedContains added sugars Score 44 out of 100 Okay -
Melograno & Arancia Pomegranate & Orange Sanpellegrino · 330 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 41 out of 100 Okay -
Electrolyte beverage Electrolit · 21 fl oz/1.3 pt/625 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugars Score 20 out of 100 Poor
More from Vitaminwater
-
Acai Blueberry Pomegranate Nutrient Enhanced Water Beverage Vitaminwater Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Zero Sugar Lemonade Squeezed Vitaminwater Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Vitamin Water Forever You Coconut Lime Vitaminwater · 20 fl oz Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Vitamin Water Zero Sugar Açai Blueberry Pomegranate Vitaminwater · 500 mL Score 72 out of 100 Good
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
-
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
-
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
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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