Artificially sweetened beverages
Vitaminwater Vitamin Water Zero Sugar Dragonfruit Power-C
591 mL
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
Why it scores 72
Vitaminwater Vitamin Water Zero Sugar Dragonfruit Power-C scores 72 out of 100 (Good) 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 2.5 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
- minus 2.5 points Stevia (steviol glycosides): WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better flavored and vitamin water
-
Nutrient enhanced water Core · 23.9 fl oz/707 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
Watermelon infused water Hint · 6 × 16 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
Hint Hint · 1.5 gal/5.7 L/1 PT Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
Smartwater Alkaline Smartwater · 20 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 26 points higher -
Cucumber Lime Glaceau Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 26 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Vitamin Water Zero Sugar Dragonfruit Power-C
Ingredients
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 2.5 points
- Potassium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Monk fruit extract minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
100 − 28.5 = 71.5 → 72
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
Serving: 1 serving (591 g)
Ingredients
- reverse osmosis water
- vitamins C
- B5
- B6
- B12 (ascorbic acid, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin)
- vegetable juices (for color)
- citric acid
- natural flavors
- stevia leaf extract
- electrolytes (magnesium and calcium lactates, potassium phosphate)
- taurine
- monk fruit extract
- zinc gluconate
- chromium polynicotinate
Label text, as published
reverse osmosis water, less than 0.5% of: vitamins C, B5, B6, B12 (ascorbic acid, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin), vegetable juices (for color), citric acid, natural flavors, stevia leaf extract, electrolytes (magnesium and calcium lactates, and potassium phosphate), taurine, monk fruit extract, zinc gluconate, chromium polynicotinate
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More artificially sweetened beverages on GoodSwap
-
Prime Hydration Drink - Blue Raspberry Prime Hydration · 500 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 67 out of 100 Good -
Zero Sugar Cranberry Juice Ocean Spray · 64 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 75 out of 100 Good -
Plant protein shake Orgain · 11 oz Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 58 out of 100 Okay -
Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Cherry Lime Gatorlyte · 20 fl oz/1.25 PT/591 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugars Score 40 out of 100 Okay -
Zero Sugar Fruit Punch Bodyarmor Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Zero Sugar Mountain Dew Mountain Dew · 16 oz Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 26 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 Zero Sugar Açai Blueberry Pomegranate Vitaminwater · 500 mL Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Gutsy Zero Sugar Vitaminwater · 20 fl oz Score 69 out of 100 Good
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
“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