Java monster, energy drink, salted caramel, salted caramel

monoglycerides

Emulsifier; can contain trans fats not captured on the nutrition label; ultra-processed marker.

glucose

Isolated glucose from corn or wheat starch; high glycemic; rapid insulin spike

natural flavors

Vague term masking hundreds of possible compounds; may include MSG, beaver anal gland secretions, and other sources.

maltodextrin

Ultra-processed starch derivative; very high glycemic index; may disrupt gut bacteria.

carrageenan

Intestinal inflammation; may exacerbate IBS; degraded form is carcinogenic.

cellulose gum

Synthetic emulsifier; animal studies link it to microbiome disruption and inflammation.

sucralose

May alter gut microbiome; studies show possible DNA damage at high doses.

sugar

High glycemic index; promotes inflammation and metabolic disease.