Cloud9 Classic Energy Drink — DUMP
Munch or Dump rates Cloud9 Classic Energy Drink by Cloud9 DUMP — score 17/90.
Sugar water with synthetic caffeine, maltodextrin, artificial flavor and caramel color, dressed up as a 'natural, healthy' energy drink.
Why this verdict
- Sugar is the #2 ingredient and delivers ~11.7g per serving of empty calories
- Maltodextrin is a refined starch that spikes blood sugar as fast as sugar itself
- Artificial flavoring and caramel color INS150d make this a NOVA-4 ultra-processed drink
- Synthetic caffeine (75mg/can) plus a Class II preservative, not the 'natural energy' advertised
- Sugar + maltodextrin + refined stimulant is a hyper-palatable, engineered-for-craving stack
Ingredients (10)
- Carbonated Water (safe) — Basic component of most beverages, provides fizziness.
- Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
- Acidity Regulators (INS330 citric acid, INS331 sodium citrate) (safe) — Common pH/tartness adjusters, generally harmless.
- Taurine (moderate) — Standard energy-drink amino acid; unremarkable at these doses.
- Maltodextrin (moderate) — Highly processed starch-derived carbohydrate used as a carrier and texturizer; spikes blood sugar readily.
- Caffeine (moderate) — Mild stimulant, 43mg per serving. Fine in moderation but makes the drink mildly habit-forming.
- Vitamins (B5, B3, B6, B12) (safe) — Added B-vitamins used as a health halo; fine in themselves but don't offset the sugar load.
- Class II Preservative (INS211 sodium benzoate) (moderate) — A chemical preservative that can form benzene traces with vitamin C/heat; a marker of processed drinks.
- Artificial & Nature-Identical Flavouring (moderate) — Lab-made flavor substances engineered for palatability; contradict the 'natural' marketing.
- Caramel Colour INS150d (moderate) — Ammonia-sulphite caramel color; a cosmetic additive linked to 4-MEI concerns, purely for appearance.