Rockstar

Flavor:

Orangeade

Ingredients:

Water, Clarified Orange Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Glucose Syrup, Sodium Citrate, Taurine, Natural Flavor, Sodium Polyphosphates (To Protect Flavor), Sodium benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Caffeine, Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness), Monopotassium Phosphate, Calcium Lactate Pentahydrate, Gum Arabic, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, acesulfame K), Magnesium Lactate, Sucralose, Glycerol Ester Of Rosin, Milk Thistle Extract, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Caramel Color, B-apo-8′-carotenal (Color), Vitamin A Palmitate, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Rockstar Orangeade earns a 1/5 green leaf rating, signaling a product with numerous concerns regarding its ingredients and overall healthiness. This beverage is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients. It contains added sugars, including citric acid, which detracts from its nutritional profile. More concerning are the artificial sweeteners acesulfame potassium, glucose syrup, and sucralose, which are linked to negative health effects and contribute to the product’s low score.

The ingredient list also features several additives that raise red flags. Natural flavors and sodium citrate are ambiguous terms that do not provide clear information on their sourcing or potential health impacts. Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are included as preservatives, which, while common in many processed foods, carry their own risks and are often avoided by those seeking cleaner food options. The product also contains caramel color, an additive that has drawn criticism for its potential health risks.

Moreover, the beverage has a problematic inclusion of palm-derived ingredients, which are not only associated with health concerns but also with significant environmental impact due to the deforestation and habitat destruction linked to palm oil production.

Rockstar Orangeade’s inclusion of vitamins such as niacinamide (Vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) does not offset the negative aspects of its other ingredients. While vitamins are essential nutrients, the presence of beneficial components cannot counterbalance the presence of harmful additives and sugars.

Consumers looking for cleaner, healthier beverage options would do well to consider other products. Those seeking to avoid artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and non-organic ingredients will find that Rockstar Orangeade does not meet the criteria for a clean food product. Its low green leaf rating reflects a composition that prioritizes flavor and shelf-stability over healthfulness and environmental sustainability.