Touted as a healthier alternative to sugary sodas, flavored sparkling water has soared into the mainstream over the past decade. It’s now a standard item on millions of Americans’ grocery lists.
And though bubbly water is indeed much healthier than the health hazard that is soda, it’s not as innocent as it appears.
What Are Natural Flavors?
In the ingredients list of flavored sparkling water, consumers see two ingredients listed: carbonated water and natural flavors. But in actuality, there are dozens of unlisted ingredients that make up natural flavors.For example, suppose you’re drinking grapefruit-flavored sparkling water that utilizes “natural flavors” instead of actual grapefruit juice to create a citrusy taste. To emulate the flavor of real grapefruits, manufacturers mix dozens of chemicals to craft the flavor without using a single grapefruit.
Companies choose to use natural flavors instead of real fruit because it’s cheaper and ensures a longer shelf life.
Not So Natural
The term “natural flavors” indicates that the ingredients used to compose these flavors must originate from either animals or plants. In contrast, “artificial flavors” means some of the ingredients used to create the flavor are synthetically derived.However, as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this definition excludes critical information regarding the nature of natural flavors. Oftentimes, many of the ingredients used in “natural flavors” are not of natural origin.
As Goodman, a doctor of law, points out in his paper, it is “only the flavoring ingredient that qualifies as something natural or artificial; it doesn’t refer to the permissibility of using ingredients (synthetic or artificial) that do not have an effect on flavoring.”
Vani Hari, a food activist who has generated ingredient improvement changes in companies like Kraft and General Mills, sees little distinction between natural and artificial flavors, given the ingredients’ ambiguity.
“Both are manufactured in a laboratory, combined with various stabilizers and preservatives, and designed meticulously for processed food manufacturers to make you crave their products,” she told The Epoch Times.
Are These Ingredients Harmful to Our Health?
Some of the ingredients used to create natural flavors are linked to adverse health effects.Another ingredient that raises concerns for health professionals is linalool, a naturally occurring compound found in various plants. But when it’s extracted from plants and used in concentrated amounts, it can have worrying effects on the brain.
How Do We Know Which Natural Flavors Are Safe?
It’s hard for consumers to know whether specific natural flavors are safe, given that the FDA doesn’t require food and drink companies to disclose ingredients. As noted by Goodman, “The flavor industry is incredibly secretive ... It’s not atypical for flavor formulas to only be disclosed to a single individual in an entire food processing company, in order to protect their proprietary information.”Therefore, consumers are left in the dark when it comes to the ingredients that are used in natural flavors.
“The question is, how many products per day are you consuming with natural flavors?” Hari asked.
While natural flavors are well known for making carbonated water taste like a fruity oasis, many individuals do not realize the ubiquity of natural flavors. They’re primarily found in packaged and processed foods, but they can also be found in items like vitamins, health bars, and protein powders.
Sparkling Water Without Natural Flavors
Because sparkling flavored water has become a standard component of weeknight eating and weekend barbeques, the idea of giving it up can be challenging. But the good news is that you don’t have to part ways with sparkling water altogether.Some companies utilize real fruit instead of natural flavors to create flavored water. We can also buy plain, unflavored sparkling water and flavor it with real fruit ourselves. These alternatives are perhaps not as convenient as purchasing flavored sparkling water, but we’re guaranteed to know the ingredients of what we are consuming.
