Alani Nu

Flavor:

Hawaiian Shaved Ice

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Erythritol, Taurine, Sodium Citrate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caffeine, L-Theanine, Sucralose, Vegetable Juice for Color, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium benzoate (preservative), Potassium Sorbate (preservative), L-Carnitine Tartrate, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, acesulfame K), Niacinamide (Vitamin B-3), Gum Acacia, D-Glucuronolactone, Inositol, Guarana Seed Extract, Sodium Chloride, Calcium D Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12)

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved Ice energy drink falls short of the cleaner food options recommended by our website. This product is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients, which significantly impacts its rating. The inclusion of added sugars, such as citric acid and erythritol, further detracts from its score. More concerning are the harmful added sugars like acesulfame potassium and sucralose, which are present in the drink.

The product also contains a variety of potentially harmful additives. Among these are natural and artificial flavors, potassium sorbate, sodium citrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, glucuronolactone, and sodium citrate again. Particularly troubling is the presence of known harmful additives like artificial flavor and sodium benzoate. Additionally, the product is penalized for containing artificial flavor, which is often associated with high fructose corn syrup, though it is not explicitly listed as an ingredient.

The array of ingredients raises questions about the product’s healthfulness. The drink features an extensive list of components, including preservatives like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, which are used to prolong shelf life but have been scrutinized for their potential health effects. It contains caffeine, taurine, and guarana seed extract, commonly found in energy drinks. Vitamins such as niacinamide (Vitamin B-3), calcium D pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), and cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12) are added, presumably for their perceived health benefits.

However, the presence of these vitamins does not offset the negative impact of the other ingredients. The artificial sweeteners and additives, lack of organic certification, and use of GMO ingredients lead to a recommendation to avoid this product in favor of healthier, cleaner alternatives. The Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved Ice energy drink, with its low green leaf rating, does not align with the values of those seeking cleaner and more natural food options.