Quick Answer
Some flavors of Great Value drink enhancer do contain aspartame, while others do not. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in some diet or zero calorie products. To determine if a specific Great Value enhancer contains aspartame, it is best to check the ingredients list on the product packaging.
Ingredients Analysis
Great Value drink enhancers come in a variety of flavors including fruit flavors like strawberry, lemonade, and orange, as well as tea, lemon tea, and other varieties. The ingredients can vary widely between the different flavors.
Some examples of Great Value enhancers that contain aspartame include:
- Great Value Light Lemonade Drink Enhancer
- Great Value Diet Strawberry Kiwi Drink Enhancer
- Great Value Pink Lemonade Light Drink Enhancer
For these products the aspartame is listed clearly in the ingredients. Other enhancers that list “sucralose” do not contain aspartame. Sucralose is another artificial sweetener.
Some examples of Great Value enhancers that do not contain aspartame include:
- Great Value Mango Drink Enhancer
- Great Value Strawberry Drink Enhancer
- Great Value Peach Drink Enhancer
Instead of aspartame, these products contain other sweeteners like sucralose or sugar.
To summarize, the diet or light versions of Great Value drink enhancers are more likely to contain aspartame, while the regular enhancers are more likely to be aspartame-free. Reading the ingredients list is the best way to be sure if a specific product contains aspartame or not.
Aspartame Controversy
Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners in the world today. However, it has also been the center of much controversy regarding potential health risks.
When aspartame was first approved for use by the FDA in 1981, critics expressed concern about potential cancer risks from consuming the sweetener. However, the majority of regulatory agencies, like the FDA and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), have concluded from numerous studies that aspartame is safe at typical consumption levels.
Some of the common allegations against aspartame include:
- May cause cancer
- May cause neurological effects like headaches or seizures
- May affect mood, behavior, or cognitive function
However, most health organizations have found these allegations to be unsubstantiated by scientific evidence. An extensive review in 2007 found no causative link between aspartame and cancer.
Still, some people wish to avoid aspartame as a precautionary measure. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) level set by regulators is about 50 mg of aspartame per kilogram of body weight. Amounts below this are not considered to pose any health risk. But people who wish to minimize intake can avoid products with aspartame in the ingredients.
Aspartame vs Other Sweeteners
Aspartame is one of several sugar substitutes on the market today. Here is a comparison of key facts about aspartame versus other common sweeteners:
| Sweetener | Calories per Gram | Sweetness Compared to Sugar | Found In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspartame | 4 | 200x sweeter | Diet sodas, light yogurts |
| Sucralose | 0 | 600x sweeter | Protein bars, sugar-free drinks |
| Saccharin | 0 | 300x sweeter | Sweet’N Low, diet foods |
| Stevia | 0 | 200-400x sweeter | Truvia, diet drinks |
As this table shows, aspartame has 4 calories per gram while providing 200x the sweetness of sugar. This makes it an attractive choice for food and beverage companies developing reduced calorie products. The other non-nutritive sweeteners provide zero calories per gram but vary in their sweetness intensity and uses.
Cost Analysis
One of the advantages of artificial sweeteners like aspartame for consumers is that they allow for very low calorie sweetened products at affordable prices. For companies, artificial sweeteners can be favorable over sugar due to the high relative sweetness per pound.
Let’s compare the estimated cost per pound of sugar versus aspartame:
| Sweetener | Average Cost Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Sugar | $0.64 |
| Aspartame | $5.79 |
While aspartame has a higher absolute cost per pound compared to sugar, a little goes a long way. With 200x the sweetness, a pound of aspartame can provide the same level of sweetness as 200 pounds of sugar!
Overall, the intense sweetness of aspartame makes it affordable as an alternative to sugar for the large-scale production of diet or light food and beverages. The tiny amounts needed to achieve sweetness result in a minimal impact on overall product cost while allowing for great-tasting low calorie products.
Effect on Weight Loss
One reason people may choose light or zero calorie sweeteners is to reduce calorie intake, potentially aiding weight loss efforts. Using a calorie-free sweetener like aspartame instead of sugar can decrease the calories in foods and drinks significantly.
However, the impact on weight loss is more complex:
- May reduce overall calorie intake if substituted for high calorie sweeteners
- May increase cravings for sweets and lead to overeating
- May impact gut bacteria and hormones involved in appetite
The evidence is mixed. Some studies show that people who use artificial sweeteners tend to lose weight, while others show no effect or even associations with weight gain. More research is needed on the complex ways sweeteners may impact appetite and body weight regulation.
For calorie reduction, artificial sweeteners like aspartame can be an effective tool when used judiciously. But they should be used as one component of an overall healthy diet and active lifestyle regimen for sustained weight management.
Great Value Drink Enhancer Options
For shoppers looking for a calorie-free flavored drink option, Great Value makes a range of drink enhancer products with aspartame as well as some made with other sweeteners.
Some great-tasting aspartame-free options include:
- Great Value Strawberry Kiwi Drink Enhancer
- Great Value Fruit Punch Drink Enhancer
- Great Value Grape Drink Enhancer
These products use sucralose as the sweetener instead of aspartame. For an enhancer with natural sugar, opt for flavors like orange, lemonade, and fruit punch. Read labels closely to find the best fit for your dietary needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, some Great Value drink enhancers do contain the artificial sweetener aspartame while others do not. Checking the ingredients list for “aspartame” is the best way to identify if this sweetener is present in a particular flavor. Aspartame remains controversial but major health agencies have found it safe at typical intake levels. Though not proven conclusively, artificial sweeteners like aspartame may aid weight loss efforts when used strategically in place of sugar. However, moderation is recommended since their impact on appetite and gut health is still being researched. For those wishing to avoid aspartame, Great Value offers drink enhancers made with sucralose or natural sugars as well. Reading labels carefully makes it possible to find a Great Value enhancer to suit individual tastes and dietary needs.