Fruit flavored drink
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A sweet, brightly colored beverage made from water, sugar, and artificial or natural fruit flavorings, often with added citric acid for tartness. It delivers a burst of sugary, fruity taste with a thin, watery texture and no nutritional value beyond calories. At 64 kcal per 100g, it is essentially a source of quick, empty energy with 15.85g of sugar and zero protein, fat, or fiber.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its intense, nostalgic sweetness and vibrant, fruit-like flavors that are often more appealing than plain water. It's a staple at parties, picnics, and as a quick, affordable treat, especially in cultures where sugary drinks are a common social beverage.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (nearly 16g per 100g) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it unsuitable for diabetics or those managing insulin resistance. To mitigate this, consume it in small portions (e.g., 100ml) and pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or cheese) to slow sugar absorption. It also lacks any beneficial nutrients, so it should not replace whole fruits or water for hydration.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from simple carbohydrates
- Offers hydration and a refreshing, sweet taste
- Inexpensive and widely available worldwide
- Can be a palatable way to encourage fluid intake in children
- Often fortified with Vitamin C in some formulations
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first commercially sold fruit-flavored drink in the U.S. was 'Kool-Aid,' invented in 1927 by Edwin Perkins, who originally sold it as a liquid concentrate before switching to a powdered form to save on shipping costs.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 83.9 g |
| Energy | 64.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 16.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 31.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 36.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is fruit-flavored drink the same as fruit juice?
No. Fruit-flavored drink is primarily water and sugar with flavorings, while fruit juice is derived from the actual fruit and may contain some vitamins and fiber.
Can I drink it if I'm on a diet?
It's best to limit consumption due to its high sugar and calorie content with no nutritional benefit. Opt for water, unsweetened tea, or infused water instead.
Does it contain real fruit?
Most fruit-flavored drinks contain little to no real fruit, relying on artificial or natural flavorings, colorings, and sugar to mimic fruit taste.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.64 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 15.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.16 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.