Energy drink, fruit punch

artificial flavors

Catch-all for synthetic flavor chemicals; regulatory threshold does not address cumulative exposure

acesulfame potassium

Limited safety data; may affect insulin response; animal studies showed tumor increases.

glucose

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

sucralose

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

sucrose

High glycemic index; promotes inflammation and metabolic disease.