does brisk raspberry tea have artificial sweeteners

These beverages don’t quite fit the bill for being healthy drinks, as they don’t offer health benefits, but there are worse beverages out there.

While the FDA generally recognizes them as safe, some claim aspartame, sucralose, stevia, and artificial colors lack long-term evidence and may have adverse effects.Īlthough Crystal Light offers a flavorful way to break up your day, it appears that most of its options contain various artificial sweeteners and colors that some people may want to avoid, especially in excess. The most controversial ingredients in Crystal Light are artificial colors and sweeteners. Some scientists also suggest that more research is needed to confirm they don’t play a role in triggering type 2 diabetes ( 14, 15). Some experts warn that excess stevia use could trigger low blood sugar and blood pressure levels, as well as that the sweetener should be used with caution among people with diabetes and those on blood pressure medication ( 11, 12, 13).įinally, artificial sweeteners may trigger headaches and depressive symptoms and increase the risk of adverse effects on the kidneys or heart. Stevia is an herbal, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant. While the long-term health effects of its use are unclear, some research indicates it may reduce insulin sensitivity and affect gut bacteria ( 9, 10). Sucralose, also known as Splenda, is made from sugar in a process that chemically replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with chlorine atoms. Some studies suggest that people with a neurological movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia avoid it, as it could amplify their symptoms ( 6, 7).Īdditionally, aspartame is not safe for people with phenylketonuria, a rare genetic disorder that causes phenylalanine to accumulate in the body, causing neurological damage if left untreated ( 8). In fact, some studies have suggested that artificial colors in foods and drinks may be linked to allergic reactions, behavioral problems in children, and even autoimmune disorders ( 2, 3, 4, 5).Īspartame is made of two main components, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, which are amino acids that occur in nature. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declares these ingredients generally recognized as safe, some health experts say there’s not enough long-term evidence to comfortably say they’re risk-free for everyone. The artificial colors and sweeteners used in most varieties of Crystal Light, including Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, aspartame, sucralose, and stevia, have sparked some controversy among consumers. Health considerations and potential side effects

SUMMARYĬrystal Light comes in several varieties, including fruity flavors, teas, caffeinated options, and Pure, which uses sugar and natural flavors and colors in place of artificial ones. Most packets contain two to eight servings. The calorie content of the four main Crystal Light varieties ranges from zero to 40 calories per packet. While the nutritional information can differ between varieties, a standard 1/2-packet (2-gram) serving of Crystal Light with the ingredients listed above has the following nutritional composition ( 1):

Maltodextrin: a sweetening, thickening, and stabilizing agentĪdditionally, classic Crystal Light may comprise less than 2% natural flavorings, the artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium, the emulsifying agent soy lecithin, artificial colors, and the preservative butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA).

Magnesium oxide: a food additive used as a drying agent, as well as for color retention and pH modification.

Sodium citrate: a flavor enhancer and preservative.

Potassium citrate: a form of potassium that’s also used as a preservative.

Citric acid: a naturally occurring compound used for sour flavor and as a preservative.

The basic ingredients in classic Crystal Light include: Instead, it uses cane sugar, dried corn syrup, and stevia, as well as natural colors like turmeric or black carrot extract. While the names of most are self-explanatory, one major difference appears to be that Pure doesn’t use artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives. The current product categories include Classics, Tea, With Caffeine, and Pure. Crystal Light has been available since the early 1980s and since evolved to be offered in several varieties.

Does brisk raspberry tea have artificial sweeteners