Ribena Blackcurrant
A real-fruit blackcurrant drink with a short ingredient list, but sugar is the main ingredient after water and juice, and the sulphite preservative can affect sensitive people.
Ingredients (8)
Water
Hydrating and neutral. It makes up most of the volume once diluted.
Blackcurrant Juice from Concentrate (about 23%)
Real fruit juice is a good base and blackcurrants are rich in polyphenols. Concentrating and reconstituting the juice loses some nutrients, and its natural sugars still count toward free sugars.
Sugar
ControversialFree sugars are linked to tooth decay, weight gain and type 2 diabetes when intake is high. It is the largest non-water contributor to the calories.
Acid: Citric Acid
E330A common, safe acidulant found naturally in citrus fruit. Acidic drinks can wear dental enamel if sipped all day.
Antioxidant: Ascorbic Acid
E300Vitamin C protects colour and flavour and adds a nutrient. It is very safe at these levels.
Preservative: Sodium Metabisulphite (sulphite)
E223 ControversialEffective and approved, but sulphites can cause wheezing or reactions in some asthmatics and sensitive people. Some versions use a different preservative, so check your label.
Flavourings
The exact compounds are not disclosed. They are approved and considered safe, but they are a sign of a processed product.
Colour: Anthocyanins
E163A plant-derived pigment from fruit and vegetables with antioxidant properties. It is considered very safe.
Healthier alternatives
Cuts sugar and calories dramatically, but it uses artificial sweeteners (acesulfame K, sucralose).
Find on AmazonNo added sugar or preservatives, and a higher fruit content per serving.
Find on AmazonWhole fruit gives fibre and anthocyanins with minimal sugar.
Find on AmazonDuring WWII, Britain could not import citrus fruit, so Ribena's vitamin C-rich blackcurrant syrup was distributed to children as a health supplement, and the government encouraged farmers to grow more blackcurrants.