Energy drinks
REIGN Total Body Fuel White Gummy Bear
16 fl oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains caffeine
Why it scores 53
REIGN Total Body Fuel White Gummy Bear scores 53 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 Sodium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better energy drinks
-
Orange Kiss Energy Drink Alani Nu · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 97 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Riot Energy Cherry Watermelon Teariot · 16 fl oz/473 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Yerbae Iced Triple Berry Yerbae · 16 fl oz/473 mL Not ultra-processed · No caffeine Score 95 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
ASHOC energy Tropical Punch A Shoc Beverage LLC · 16 fl oz (473 mL) Not ultra-processed · No sodium benzoate Score 79 out of 100 , 26 points higher -
True North Pure Energy Seltzer True North · 12 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 95 out of 100 , 42 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
REIGN Total Body Fuel White Gummy Bear
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Sodium benzoate minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Caffeine minus 1.5 points
- Potassium sorbate 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
- Energy 2 kcal / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 47.5 = 52.5 → 53
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 2 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 can (16 fl oz)
Ingredients
- CARBONATED WATER
- CITRIC ACID
- SODIUM CITRATE
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- L-LEUCINE
- CAFFEINE
- ISOLEUCINE
- VALINE
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- SODIUM BENZOATE (moderate concern)
- POTASSIUM CITRATE
- POTASSIUM SORBATE
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
- NIACINAMIDE (VIT. B3)
- MAGNESIUM LACTATE
- COENZYME Q-10 (not recognized)
- PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT B6)
Label text, as published
CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, NATURAL FLAVORS, L-LEUCINE, CAFFEINE, ISOLEUCINE, VALINE, SUCRALOSE, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, NIACINAMIDE (VIT. B3). MAGNESIUM LACTATE, COENZYME Q-10, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT B6). CYANOCOBALAMIN (VIT. 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 colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)
“derived a group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) in accordance with the ADI previously derived by SCF and JECFA”
doi.org
-
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
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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
-
“By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate
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
-
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