The science behind our all natural energy drinks

Sucralose

Sucralose-6-acetate was found to cause DNA damage, disrupt intestinal barriers, trigger genes linked to inflammation and cancer, and inhibit enzymes crucial for metabolizing various substances.

Erythritol/Sugar Alcohols

While often considered a healthier alternative to sugar, this sugar alcohol might pose serious risks, as 2023 studies link high erythritol levels in blood to increased chances of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clot formation.

Stevia Leaf

While refined versions of stevia are used commercially, the use of stevia leaf and crude stevia extracts is not considered GRAS, and their import into the U.S. is not permitted for use as sweeteners.

Aspartame

Studies suggest aspartame consumption influences obesity and glucose and insulin intolerance. Consumption can cause mood disorders, mental stress, and depression. Maternal use during pregnancy correlates with autism in children. Long-term aspartame use influences the cerebral and cerebellar cortex: it can cause neurodegeneration, modify the functions of neuronal cells, interrupt homeostasis, learning and memory.

High fructose corn syrup

Ingestion of fructose chronically has contributed to multiple health consequences, such as insulin resistance, obesity, liver disorders, and diabetes.

Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)

Studies suggest that Ace-K consumption in mice disrupted energy metabolism pathways in the gut, potentially contributing to obesity and chronic inflammation.

Saccharin

Consumption of saccharin led to harmful effects such as increased body weight, elevated blood glucose levels, kidney, and liver impairment, and heightened oxidative stress in the liver and brain. These findings in rats indicate a potential risk of obesity, diabetes, liver, and kidney dysfunction, and brain carcinogenesis associated with long-term saccharin intake.

Schiffman, S. S., Scholl, E. H., Furey, T. S., & Nagle, H. T. (2023). Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews, 26(6), 307–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903

Cleveland Clinic (2023, May 7). Why (and how) to avoid erythritol sweetener. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/erythritol

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (n.d.). Aspartame and other sweeteners in food. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food

Czarnecka, K., Pilarz, A., Rogut, A., Maj, P., Szymańska, J., Olejnik, Ł., & Szymański, P. (2021). Aspartame-True or False? Narrative Review of Safety Analysis of General Use in Products. Nutrients, 13(6), 1957. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061957

Mai, B. H., & Yan, L. J. (2019). The negative and detrimental effects of high fructose on the liver, with special reference to metabolic disorders. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy, 12, 821–826. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S198968

Bian, X., Chi, L., Gao, B., Tu, P., Ru, H., & Lu, K. (2017). The artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium affects the gut microbiome and body weight gain in CD-1 mice. PloS one, 12(6), e0178426. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178426

Azeez, O. H., Alkass, S. Y., & Persike, D. S. (2019). Long-Term Saccharin Consumption and Increased Risk of Obesity, Diabetes, Hepatic Dysfunction, and Renal Impairment in Rats. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55(10), 681. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55100681