Is Capri Sun Bad For You?
Short answer
Capri Sun isn't going to cause you serious harm, but it definitely isn't good for you. Though it does not contain any artificial colors or sweeteners, Capri Sun is very high in sugar with little to no nutritional value.
Recommended Alternative
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Capri Sun is a flavored juice beverage usually enjoyed by children. In response to recent criticisms from consumers and researchers about the amount of preservatives, artificial ingredients, and high fructose corn syrup in products targeted at children, Kraft changed the Capri Sun recipes early in 2015 to eliminate these ingredients. According to the Capri Sun website, the updated recipes contain water, sugar, fruit concentrates, citric acid, and natural flavors. The fruit concentrates are processed enough that no nutritional value (vitamins, calcium, fiber) from the fruit remains in the final product. While none of these ingredients are toxic, Capri Sun is still essentially a sugary beverage with no nutritional value.
High fructose corn syrup has been widely criticized in the media recently, though studies do not conclusively support claims that it is worse than sugar. Though Capri Sun now contains no corn syrup, it still has 13 grams of sugar per pouch. In 2015 the World Health Organization published sugar guidelines recommending children and adults limit added sugar intake to less than 25 grams daily. This means a single Capri Sun pouch would account for over half of your total added sugar intake for the day.
A sugar rush every now and then isn't that risky, but habitually consuming high-sugar foods and beverages can cause more serious problems. Spikes in blood sugar lead to increased insulin production, which contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes over time. Excessive sugar intake is also commonly linked with obesity in clinical studies, especially childhood obesity. Furthermore, high sugar diets increase the risk for heart disease.
Even though Capri Sun is not full of artificial ingredients and preservatives, it still isn't good for you. Real fruit juice (not from concentrate) is just as delicious, and a more nutritional option with vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
- obesity
- type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- no artificial sweeteners
- no artificial preservatives
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Honest Kids Juice
- Organic juice drink
- Super fruit flavors
- Convenient juice boxes
- No added sugar
- USDA Organic certified
Learn More!
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Written by Leah Bolton
Published on: 01-22-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Leah Bolton
Published on: 01-22-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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