Is Sparkling Ice Healthy (Nutrition Pros and Cons)?
In this blog post, we’ll review the question of whether or not Sparkling Ice is healthy or not? Find out what this product’s nutrition pros and cons are and what better alternatives you may wish to consider.
Sparkling Ice Facts
Sparkling Ice is fruit-flavored, carbonated water.
The company that owns Sparkling Ice launched its brand in Washington, in the United States, and began exporting it to Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and South Africa.
There are two varieties of Sparkling Ice and an extensive range of flavors. The Classic Sparkling Ice is sugar-free, and the Sparkling Ice + Caffeine contains caffeine extracted from coffee beans and green tea. The website claims Sparkling Ice was “created for those with bubbly energy and a colorful disposition.”
According to the nutrition label, Sparkling Ice only contains naturally-sourced colors, contains zero sugar, and has added antioxidants and vitamins.
Sparkling Ice Main Ingredients
Classic Sparkling Ice’s specific ingredients are carbonated water, apple juice concentrate, natural coloring agents, citric acid, tartaric acid, preservatives, sucralose, fruit juice concentrate, green tea extract, gum arabic, and vitamins.
Classic Sparkling Ice Plus Caffeine also contains added caffeine.
Here are some of the major ingredients found in Sparkling Ice.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea is one of the world’s most popular teas, known as a super healthy drink. Green tea extract can be concentrated in capsule form and contains the same active ingredients as the tea. It is an excellent source of antioxidants and has many health benefits.
Studies have shown that the polyphenols in green tea and other teas can have an anticarcinogenic effect. The flavones can help with oxidative stress-related diseases, among many other benefits.
Despite incredible health benefits, it’s essential to know that green tea extract can be toxic when consumed in excessive amounts.
Sucralose
Sucralose is a synthetic sweetener that is chlorinated and can’t be metabolized by the human body. It is FDA-approved, but there is controversy around the long-term health implications of this ingredient and all artificial sweeteners.
Additionally, it may increase inflammation causing obesity and diabetes. Sweeteners like the one included in Sparkling Ice Water are linked to weight gain despite having zero calories, zero carbs, or just a small amount.
According to research, consuming sucralose over time may harm the gut’s microbiome. It lowers the good bacteria needed for the gut to function optimally. See my list of the best gut healing foods.
Sucralose is a highly processed ingredient that likely is not healthy as it has potential risks. It should be consumed cautiously or not at all. I like these natural sugar substitutes better.
Caffeine
Caffeine is extracted from coffee beans, cacao plants, and tea leaves. It’s a natural stimulant with excellent health benefits if you consume it in moderation.
Caffeine can help with pain treatment and assist with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It can also provide protection against DNA damage, help process glucose better, and promote liver enzyme production leading to a healthier liver.
As with green tea extract, it’s essential to know that you should only consume caffeine with caution; it is a stimulant, even if it’s natural. Children should likely avoid caffeine as there can be negative effects.
If adults have too much of it, it can cause side effects like raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, trouble falling asleep, and anxiety.
Gum arabic
Gum arabic is extracted from certain trees, like the Acacia Senegal tree.
It is a dissolvable dietary fiber that has a satiating effect, making people feel full early, which may lead to weight loss. Gum arabic may be used for conditions like IBS, diabetes, and high cholesterol, but no concrete scientific evidence supports this.
B Vitamins
Sparkling Ice contains vitamin B3 (Niacinamide,) vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate,) vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,) and vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin.)
Many people are sensitive to B vitamins. Too much vitamin B3 can cause gastric distress and other unpleasant side effects.
Nutrition Pros
Classic Sparkling Ice is caffeine-free and sugar-free and contains no artificial colors. Many similar drinks have artificial colors, which are not considered safe.
One of the ingredients in Sparkling Ice is green tea extract, which has several health benefits, including brain and skin health, blood pressure, sugar regulation, and exercise recovery.
Although Sparkling Ice drinks are expensive for hydration, they may be a healthier option than diet soda like Diet Coke, sugary sodas, or other sugary drinks.
The added vitamins and antioxidants are not a significant benefit because it’s better to absorb these from real food.
Lastly, as opposed to many other low-calorie drinks, Sparkling Ice Beverages do not appear to list “natural flavors” on the ingredients list. This is a positive as it is unclear where natural flavors come from and if they are truly from natural sources.
A bottle of Sparkling Ice also does not appear to have food coloring or other artificial flavors and added sugars which is a benefit.
Nutrition Cons
Sparkling Ice is a highly processed drink that contains a complex list of ingredients, including sucralose and preservatives. Sucralose has potential health risks including a change in gut bacteria.
Some people are sensitive to B vitamins and caffeine, which can cause unwanted side effects. One serving of Sparkling Ice has 70 mg of caffeine.
Additionally, Sparkling Ice is an expensive product for hydration. Instead of this expense, you can make your electrolyte drink for a lot less money, and you’ll be doing your part for the earth by reducing the amount of packaging used.
Plain water is generally always a healthier alternative to packaged low calorie drinks. If you want a carbonated beverage, try buying a home carbonator for your kitchen.
Sparking Ice Nutrition FAQs
Sparkling Ice contains unhealthy ingredients like preservatives and sucralose.
Drinking water for hydration or making your own electrolyte drink may be better. You could even make some refreshing fruit-flavored sparkling water using a squeeze of lemon juice.
The calories in Sparkling Ice come from citric acid and malic acid, natural colors, and juice concentrate.
This drink is so low in calories because it’s sweetened with sucralose, a zero-calorie sweetener.
Since Sparkling Ice is mostly water, it will help with hydration. However, it doesn’t contain any electrolytes, so if you need a drink with electrolytes, the healthiest and cheapest option is to make your own at home.
It may be healthier than regular soda because it contains only five calories and does not contain sugar like high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors including artificial dyes. However, it contains sucralose, which can cause health problems for some people.
No, it is not strictly vegan. Sparkling Ice has added vitamin D which may be sourced from lanolin. Lanolin is an ingredient derived from sheep’s wool or from sea algae (which is vegan.)
Although some vegans may be okay with the risk of the lanolin being from sheep’s wool, stricter vegans will most likely not use this product. Additionally, some vegans oppose sucralose because it’s tested on animals, and has caused benign growths and deaths in some studies.
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Conclusions
Sparkling Ice contains some healthy ingredients like green tea extract, antioxidants, and vitamins. It is free from sugar and artificial colors. However, it also contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener that may cause health issues. It also contains B vitamins that can adversely affect some people. Therefore, its healthiness is questionable. Making a hydrating drink at home with real food ingredients is always a better option.
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
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