Beverages
Core power protein shakes banana ready to drink
14 fl oz/414 mL
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
Why it scores 43
Core power protein shakes banana ready to drink scores 43 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 Carrageenan: In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, higher carrageenan intake was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes; cause and effect is not established. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose): In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein shakes
-
Ensure Max Protein nutrition shake French Vanilla Ensure No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 78 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Organic Green Berry meal shake Urban Remedy No gut-studied emulsifiers · No carrageenan Score 77 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Eden Shake Sesame & Sea Vegetable Seasoning Eden Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Organic Cocoa Cashew Coconut Dairy-free Shake Forager Project No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 79 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
The MealBetix Lifestyle MealBetix · 15 oz Not ultra-processed · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 79 out of 100 , 36 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Core power protein shakes banana ready to drink
Ingredients
- Carrageenan minus 7.5 points
- Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) minus 7.5 points
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Monk fruit extract minus 1.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 1.5 points
- Microcrystalline cellulose minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Sugars 1.7 g / 100 ml minus 6 points
- Energy 41 kcal / 100 ml minus 3 points
100 − 57.5 = 42.5 → 43
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 41 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 1.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.7 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.9 g |
| Sugars | 1.7 g |
| Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Protein | 6.3 g |
| Salt | 0.2 g |
Serving: 14 OZA (414 ml)
Ingredients
- FILTERED LOW FAT GRADE A MILK
- BANANA PUREE
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- MONK FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE
- STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT
- CARRAGEENAN (moderate concern)
- CELLULOSE GEL
- CELLULOSE GUM TURMERIC EXTRACT (COLOR) ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- LACTASE ENZYME
- VITAMIN A PALMITATE
- VITAMIN D3
Label text, as published
FILTERED LOW FAT GRADE A MILK, BANANA PUREE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: NATURAL FLAVORS, MONK FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE, STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT, CARRAGEENAN, CELLULOSE GEL, CELLULOSE GUM TURMERIC EXTRACT (COLOR) ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, LACTASE ENZYME, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D3.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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Puna Coconut Pineapple Bai Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains caffeine Score 69 out of 100 Good -
Strawberry cream Boston Beer Company · 44 fl oz/1.3 L Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oils Score 41 out of 100 Okay -
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Also popular on GoodSwap
Sources
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“We found direct associations between the risk of type 2 diabetes and exposures to various food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods, in a large prospective cohort of French adults.”
doi.org
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Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
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Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives
“However, the Panel noted uncertainties as regards the chemistry, the exposure assessment and biological and toxicological data.”
doi.org
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Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
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“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org
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“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org
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“The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”
doi.org
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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
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“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
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“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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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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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
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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