Are you a fan of La Croix?
This popular sparkling water has taken the beverage world by storm, with its wide range of flavors and zero sugar content. But what about sugar alcohols? Are they lurking in your favorite bubbly drink?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients in La Croix and answer the burning question: does it contain sugar alcohols?
Get ready to quench your thirst for knowledge and find out the truth about this beloved beverage.
Does La Croix Have Sugar Alcohols?
The short answer is no, La Croix does not contain sugar alcohols. In fact, the company prides itself on using only natural flavors and ingredients in their drinks.
Sugar alcohols are a type of sweetener that are commonly used in sugar-free products, such as diet sodas and sugar-free gum. They are often added to these products to provide a sweet taste without the calories of regular sugar.
However, some people may experience digestive issues when consuming large amounts of sugar alcohols. These issues can include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Thankfully, La Croix fans can rest easy knowing that their favorite drink is free from these potential digestive irritants.
What Are Sugar Alcohols?
Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are a type of reduced-calorie sweetener that are commonly found in processed foods like sugar-free desserts, candies, and energy bars. Despite their name, sugar alcohols are neither sugar nor alcohol. They are a type of carbohydrate that has a chemical structure similar to both sugar and alcohol.
Some sugar alcohols occur naturally in certain fruits and vegetables, while others are produced industrially from other sugars like glucose in cornstarch. Common types of sugar alcohols include xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, isomalt, and maltitol.
Sugar alcohols are about 25-100% as sweet as regular sugar but have fewer calories and don’t have the same negative effects as sugar, such as promoting tooth decay and significantly raising blood sugar levels. They’re considered low digestible carbs, meaning that when you eat them, your small intestine doesn’t completely absorb them. Instead, they travel to your large intestine, where bacteria ferment them.
While some people may experience digestive issues when consuming large amounts of sugar alcohols, they can be a good alternative for those who want to reduce their calorie intake or avoid regular sugar. However, it’s important to note that foods containing sugar alcohols are still a form of carbohydrate and can affect blood sugar levels if consumed in large amounts.
Understanding The Ingredients In La Croix
La Croix is a sparkling water brand that prides itself on using only natural flavors and ingredients in their drinks. The flavors used in La Croix are derived from the natural essence oils extracted from the named fruit used in each of their flavors. The company states that there are no sugars or artificial ingredients contained in, nor added to, these extracted flavors.
The natural essences used in La Croix are concentrated natural chemicals that are safe to drink. They are created by heating items such as fruit and vegetable skins, rinds, and remnants at high temperatures, producing vapors. These vapors are condensed and then sold by the barrel. However, the company has not clarified exactly what these essences are.
La Croix does not contain any sugar, calories, sodium, artificial ingredients, GMOs, phosphoric acid, gluten, or animal products. Additionally, the company does not include any artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas. They do not add any artificial sweeteners, sugars or sodium to their waters.
Recently, La Croix faced a lawsuit arguing that the sparkling-beverage brand contains artificial ingredients. However, the company categorically denies these claims and states that all essences contained in La Croix are certified by their suppliers to be 100% natural.
Analyzing The Nutritional Information
When it comes to nutritional information, La Croix is a clear winner compared to other sugar-sweetened beverages. Each can of La Croix contains zero calories, zero sugar, zero sodium, zero carbs, and zero grams of fat. This makes it an excellent choice for those who are looking to cut back on added sugars in their diet.
The % Daily Value (DV) is a measure that tells you how much of a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. The DV for each nutrient is based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet. La Croix does not contribute any significant nutrients to your daily diet, but it also does not contain any harmful ingredients.
La Croix’s ingredients list is impressively short and simple. Each variety contains only two ingredients: carbonated water and natural flavor. This means that there are no added sugars, sweeteners, or artificial ingredients contained in La Croix beverages.
In contrast, other sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juice can contain high amounts of added sugars. The Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends reducing the amount of added sugars in the diet from the current recommendation of 10 percent of total calories down to 6 percent of total calories. La Croix is a great alternative for those who want to cut back on added sugars without sacrificing taste.
Additionally, La Croix and other sparkling waters count towards your daily hydration needs. Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and well-being, and choosing a beverage like La Croix can help you meet your hydration goals.
Potential Health Benefits And Risks Of Sugar Alcohols
While sugar alcohols are a popular alternative to regular sugar due to their low calorie count, they do come with some potential health benefits and risks.
On the positive side, sugar alcohols do not impact blood sugar levels like regular sugar does. This makes them a great option for individuals who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes. In addition, sugar alcohols are less likely to cause tooth decay compared to regular sugar.
However, consuming large amounts of certain sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, can cause digestive issues such as bloating and diarrhea. This is because sugar alcohols are not fully absorbed by the body and can ferment in the large intestine. For individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sugar alcohols may be a trigger for symptoms.
It is also worth noting that some people have concerns about the production of sugar alcohols as they may be made from genetically modified substances such as cornstarch and corn syrup. Additionally, some argue that sugar alcohols do not offer the same health benefits as natural sweeteners like stevia.
Alternatives To La Croix For Those Avoiding Sugar Alcohols.
For those who prefer to avoid sugar alcohols altogether, there are still plenty of options available. One great alternative is Zevia, which uses stevia as a natural sweetener instead of sugar alcohols. Zevia offers a variety of flavors, including cola, ginger root beer, and black cherry.
Another option is Waterloo, which uses natural flavors and carbonated water to create a refreshing drink. Their flavors include classics like grape and lemon, as well as more unique options like watermelon and mango.
For those who prefer a more traditional soda taste, there are also diet sodas available that do not contain sugar alcohols. However, it is important to note that these drinks may contain artificial sweeteners, which have their own potential health risks.
