Energy drinks
Celsius ARCTIC Vibe SPARKLING FROZEN ENERGY EDITION
12 fl oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains caffeine
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 66
Celsius ARCTIC Vibe SPARKLING FROZEN ENERGY EDITION scores 66 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 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 3 points 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and non-nutritive sweetener. Emerging
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 , 31 points higher -
Mango Organic Sparkling Energy Drink Sunberry Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 99 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
Riot Energy Cherry Watermelon Teariot · 16 fl oz/473 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 98 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Yerbae Iced Triple Berry Yerbae · 16 fl oz/473 mL Not ultra-processed · No caffeine Score 95 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Kill cliff cbd Kill Cliff · 11 fl oz/325 mL Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 100 out of 100 , 34 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
ARCTIC Vibe SPARKLING FROZEN ENERGY EDITION
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Caffeine minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 ml
- Energy 3 kcal / 100 ml minus 1 points
100 − 34.5 = 65.5 → 66
Nutrition per 100 ml
| Energy | 3 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 1 can (355 g)
Ingredients
- CARBONATED FILTERED WATER
- CITRIC ACID
- TAURINE
- GUARANA SEED EXTRACT
- GREEN TEA EXTRACT
- CAFFEINE
- ASCORBIC ACID
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- GLUCURONOLACTONE
- GINGER ROOT EXTRACT
- CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- NIACINAMIDE
- PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
- RIBOFLAVIN
- BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR)
- CHROMIUM CHELATE
- BIOTIN
- CYANOCOBALAMIN
Label text, as published
CARBONATED FILTERED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, GUARANA SEED EXTRACT, GREEN TEA EXTRACT, CAFFEINE, ASCORBIC ACID, SUCRALOSE, GLUCURONOLACTONE, GINGER ROOT EXTRACT, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, NIACINAMIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), CHROMIUM CHELATE, BIOTIN, CYANOCOBALAMIN
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- 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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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