· By Plant Press
What brands aren’t telling you about their “Zero Sugar” energy drinks
Nearly all of today’s most popular energy drink brands offer “Zero Sugar,” or low-calorie options, but as researchers delve deeper into these sugar shortcuts, they're finding that the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners may not be worth the short-term benefits.
As a brand, we’re defining a new standard for what it means to be a truly clean and healthy energy drink. That doesn’t begin and end with our 100% natural formula–it also includes being openly transparent about the WHY behind our select ingredients.
In other words, why we opt for plant-derived sugars over synthetic sweeteners–let’s dive in.
The (Whole) Scoop on Artificial Sweeteners
We've already seen a shift away from artificial sweeteners taking place within the soda industry, with “gut-friendly” alternatives popping up like Olipop and Poppi (no pun intended). But, what about energy drinks?
Whether you’re running by a 7-Eleven on your lunch break, stopping at CIBO Express between flights, or just browsing the energy drink aisle at your local Target, your “healthy” options for a much needed pick-me-up are severely limited, and it’s virtually impossible to find a brand on shelf today without artificial sweeteners like Sucralose, Ace-K (Acesulfame Potassium), or Erythritol.
Coupled with excessive amounts of caffeine, artificial flavors and synthetic dyes, these so-called “good for you” energy drinks carry ingredients not only found to affect your GI health, but can also impact your heart health, blood sugar levels, and food cravings as well.
Here’s what we know about today’s most common sugar substitutes:
Artificial Sweeteners vs. Your Gut Health
Recent studies are looking at the impact of sweeteners on your gut microbiota. Findings show that these sweeteners often stick-to and infiltrate your “good” gut bacteria, causing cell death and creating an imbalance within your gut microbiome, which is why you may feel bloated or get an upset stomach after having a “Zero Sugar” drink.
DID YOU KNOW? Your gut is directly linked to your energy levels, mood, and metabolism. It controls 95% of your serotonin production, meaning the health of your gut is crucial to your overall wellness.
Sweeteners like Sucralose are Linked to Sugar Cravings & Weight Gain
Artificial sweeteners were created to help reduce sugar intake and improve weight loss, and yet, according to Harvard Health, people who consume drinks with artificial sweeteners see as much as a 67% increase in risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
The irony, right? But there are a number of studies linking artificial sweeteners to heart disease and other diet-related health conditions, finding that:
- 600x sweeter than real sugar, artificial sweeteners can desensitize your palette, making natural sources of sugar like fruit or honey seem “not sweet enough.”
- Long-term research shows that sweeteners may cause you to crave high-calorie foods because they impact the way your body responds to sugar.
- Blood sugar can be even higher for those who regularly consume artificial sweeteners, suggesting that they may lead to a glucose intolerance.
Sugar Alcohols Show Alarming Connection to Cardiovascular Events
Similar to artificial sweeteners and relatively new, sugar alcohols are on the rise in many “healthy” sweets and diet-friendly processed foods. The most common one found in energy drinks is Erythritol. While there’s still so much we don’t know about these synthetic sweeteners, early research already suggests that they may pose a dangerous threat to your cardiovascular health, such as blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke.
The Problem with Sugar Isn’t Sugar
It’s the type and amount of sugar you’re consuming. Highly refined, processed sugars like high-fructose corn syrup and granulated sugar are much like their artificial counterparts in that they have no nutritional value–but that's not where the story ends. There are other forms of sugar–and sweeteners–that are naturally occurring AND come packed with vitamins, minerals, and even antioxidants. Think: honey, maple syrup, and…🥁
Cue Novel Sweeteners
Novel sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia are derived from natural sources, typically from plants. They’re minimally processed, and therefore keep many of their natural benefits. They’re also not a significant source of sugar*–and therefore, calories–which means they’re low glycemic and won’t affect your blood sugar levels.**
This is why each can of Plant Press is sweetened with naturally-occurring plant sugars derived from monk fruit and agave, with a dash of stevia (but not enough for the aftertaste).
20 calories. 3g of natural sugar. “Zero” unwanted health effects. That's Plant Press. 🧡
