When it comes to finding a refreshing and flavorful drink, Tampico seems like a good choice – 100% daily value of vitamin C, a wide range of delicious flavors, less sugar, and few calories.
These reasons are quite enough to entice you to pick a bottle of Tampico juice.
However, if you look closely at the ingredients and nutritional value of Tampico, it is not as healthy as it initially appears.
From low nutritional value to the use of High fructose corn syrup(HFCS), various reasons make Tampico bad for your health.
Below, I have listed 3 reasons that will make you think twice before choosing Tampico as your beverage.
Note: Tampico juice is available in different varieties such as zero sugar, iced tea, and paired up. I will only cover the fruit punch variety in this post.
Also read: Is Simply Orange Juice Healthy? Here Is The Answer
What are the ingredients in Tampico juice?
The exact ingredients in Tampico juice vary depending on the flavor.
In general, Tampico juice is made up of water and high fructose corn syrup as the main ingredients.
It also contains other ingredients but in smaller quantity(less than 2%), such as,
- Fruit juice from concentrate
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Potassium sorbate (preservative)
- EDTA (To help protect flavor)
- Sucralose (artificial sweetener)
- Acesulfame potassium (artificial sweetener)
- Neotame (artificial sweetener)
- Malic acid (For flavor)
- Potassium citrate (For flavor)
- Caramel color
- Food starch modified
- Corn oil
- Xanthan gum
- Artificial colors(Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 50, Blue 1)
3 Reasons Tampico Juice is not healthy
1. Low nutrition value
While Tampico Juice may be good in terms of hydration and vitamin C intake, it falls short when it comes to overall nutritional value.
Unlike real fruits, Tampico Juice is low in essential nutrients vital for maintaining good health, such as protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals.
The low nutritional value of Tampico juice can be attributed to two main reasons. First, it contains a low amount of fruit juice. Secondly, it is processed, which often results in the killing of nutrients.
For example, if you consume a serving of a whole fresh apple, you’ll receive 1g of protein and 3g of fiber.
However, if you choose Tampico’s apple punch flavor, you’ll receive none of these nutrients.
This is the same case with other flavors as well.
2. It contains high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Although Tampico juice has low sugar content (6g per serving), it is not natural sugar. The sugar comes from a highly processed ingredient, High fructose corn syrup(HFCS).
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a corn syrup that contains higher levels of fructose(a type of sugar). It is often used as a sweetener in processed foods and beverages.
Studies suggest that the consumption of HFCS can contribute to the development of metabolic disorders[1][2]. Other studies also suggest that it can result in weight gain, increase inflammation and increase the risk of fatty liver disease[3][4].
In addition to HFCS, Tampico juice contains other artificial sweeteners such as Acesulfame potassium, Neotame, and sucralose.
While Acesulfame potassium and Neotame are mostly safe for most individuals in small amounts, there are some concerns regarding the safety of sucralose.
Sucralose has been shown to alter metabolic parameters, increase glucose and insulin levels, and alter the gut’s balance of bacteria.
Additionally, there are several unresolved toxicological issues regarding long-term exposure to Sucralose, such as potential damage to DNA and potential epigenetic alterations[5].
Therefore, despite low sugar content, Tampico juice is unhealthy as it contains artificial sweeteners.
3. It contains artificial colors
These bright and appealing color of Tampico juice may make you grab one. However, this color is not from fruit juice but added artificial colors.
Tampico juice has various artificial colors, such as Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Red 40.
While these colors are deemed safe by the Food authorities, Some studies have linked them to health risks.
For example, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has been known to cause allergic reactions like asthma and urticaria. It can also become potentially harmful when metabolized by gut bacteria[6][7].
Although there is no confirmed evidence of cancer, it is classified as an azo dye, which means it can still cause cancer(if consumed in excess).
Moreover, colors like Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Red 40 have been linked with Hyperactivity(especially in children), nausea, hives, asthma, and other allergic reactions[8].
Is Tampico good for weight loss?
Tampico is low in sugar and calories(25 to 35 per serving). Therefore, it can be good for weight loss.
It contains non-calorie artificial sweeteners, which can help you reduce your overall calorie intake (the most important factor in weight loss).
However, the negative impact of long-term consumption of these sweeteners is uncertain. If consumed in excess, these sweeteners might hinder your weight loss efforts or could result in other health issues.
Anyway, consuming once in a while, Tampico juice is not going to increase your weight.
Remember that weight loss depends not on only one specific food but on your overall diet and lifestyle.
Is Tampico better than soda?
Tampico is better than sodas as it has fewer calories and less sugar which is good if you are watching your weight or trying to reduce your sugar intake.
In addition, Tampico contains 100% daily value of vitamin C.
However, both Tampico and soda, such as Coke or Pepsi, aren’t healthy as they contain artificial flavors and colors.
Does Tampico juice have oil?
Tampico juice contain corn oil as one of the ingredients. It is added to improve the physical stability of the juice, i.e. to help blend the ingredients together.
Is Tampico vegan?
Tampico is vegan-friendly as it does not have any animal-based ingredients. In addition, it also has been labeled gluten-free and non-GMO.
Final words
Despite low in sugar and containing 100% value of vitamin C, Tampico is not healthy for you.
It is low in nutrition value and contain unhealthy ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors.
It’s better you opt for fresh fruit juices or go with any other brand of juice.
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