Squeez'r Caribbean Rhythms Sorrel Ginger Drink — DUMP
Munch or Dump rates Squeez'r Caribbean Rhythms Sorrel Ginger Drink by Best Health Beverages DUMP — score 20/90.
A sugar-sweetened sorrel drink hiding behind 'organic hibiscus' on the label while it's really sugar water dyed with FD&C Red #40.
Why this verdict
- Sugar is the #2 ingredient, ahead of any actual sorrel or fruit
- Contains FD&C Red #40, an artificial petroleum-based dye
- Glycerol ester of wood rosin is an industrial soda-weighting additive
- Phosphoric acid adds acidity that's hard on tooth enamel
- The 'organic hibiscus' is a tiny extract; this is mostly sugar water
Ingredients (10)
- Filtered Water (safe) — The base; harmless but means this is largely diluted sugar water.
- Sugar (concerning) — Second ingredient and the dominant nutritional driver; added sugar in liquid form spikes blood glucose and adds empty calories.
- Cranberry juice from concentrate (moderate) — Concentrate is reconstituted, stripped-down juice used for flavor, not a meaningful nutrition source here.
- Natural flavor (moderate) — Can include compounds mimicking natural tastes.
- Organic hibiscus flower extract (safe) — The actual sorrel/hibiscus component and the only redeeming ingredient, but present in a small amount.
- FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE FOR COLOR (safe) — Natural colorant; harmless, though redundant given the artificial dye also added.
- gum acacia (safe) — A natural stabilizer/emulsifier; generally well tolerated.
- FD&C Red 40 (concerning) — Petroleum-derived artificial dye linked to hyperactivity concerns in children; purely cosmetic.
- Glycerol ester of wood rosin (moderate) — An industrial weighting/emulsifying agent from pine resin used to suspend cloud in soft drinks; a clear NOVA4 processing marker.
- Phosphoric Acid (concerning) — Acidulant that erodes tooth enamel and is associated with lower bone mineral density at high intake.