Gatorade

Gatorade Riptide Rush earns a rating of 1/5 green leaves on our scale, signaling a product that ranks lowest in terms of cleaner food options. This beverage is not organic and contains genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, factors that negatively affect its score. The presence of added sugars, including sugar and citric acid, alongside dextrose—a more harmful added sugar—further detracts from its healthfulness.

Moreover, the product includes several potentially harmful additives. ‘Natural flavor’ is a term that lacks transparency and can encompass a range of unspecified ingredients. Sodium citrate, used as a preservative and flavor enhancer, also raises concerns. More alarming are the known harmful additives such as artificial colors Red 40 and Blue 1, which have been linked to health issues and are best avoided.

Gatorade Riptide Rush also contains modified food starch and glycerol ester of rosin. Although not highlighted in the scoring deductions, these ingredients are often used as thickeners or stabilizers and may not align with a clean eating philosophy.

The product’s composition, dominated by non-organic, GMO, and additive-laden ingredients, positions it as a choice to steer clear of for those seeking healthier, cleaner food options. The 1/5 green leaf rating reflects the product’s alignment—or lack thereof—with the values of clean eating and transparent, health-conscious food production. The score is a direct result of its ingredient list, which emphasizes the need for consumers to remain vigilant and informed about the products they choose to consume.