Is Tang Good For Health? The Truth Behind This Popular Drink

Tang is a well-known fruit-flavored drink mix that has been enjoyed by people for decades. It was developed by General Foods Corporation in 1957 as a healthier alternative to carbonated soft drinks.

Today, it is sold in over thirty countries and is available in a variety of flavors depending on location. 

And while it is easy to prepare, provides a refreshing taste, and is fortified with vitamins and minerals, is Tang truly good for your health?

Short answer: Tang is not good for your health as it has extremely high sugar levels, uses artificial colors and flavors and has low fruit concentrate. However, it is better than carbonated drinks.

Below, I’ll take a closer look at three popular Tang flavors i.e orange, lemon, and mango. I’ll also explore if Tang is good for weight loss. 

So keep reading to find out the truth behind Tang’s healthiness. 

Also read: Are Paper Boat Juices Healthy? Everything You Need To Know

Nutritional value of Tang

The nutritional value of Tang varies depending on the flavor and the serving size. 

Here is the nutritional value of the three most common Tang flavors.

Nutrients	Orange	Lemon	Mango
Calories	66	66	66
Carbohydrates(g)	16	16	16.4
Sugar(g)	15.8	15.8	16.1
Fat(g)	0	0	0
Protein(g)	0	0	0
Sodium(mg)	6	56	13
Iron(mg)	2.4	2.4	2.4
Vitamin C(mg)	6	6	6

A single serving(17g) of Tang contains between 15-16g of sugar representing about 90% of the product’s dry weightand 66 calories.

In addition, it is also fortified with some vitamins such as vitamins A, C, B12, and folic acid.

Ingredients in Tang

The ingredients in Tang vary depending on the specific flavor. However, here are some of the common ingredients that you will find possibly across each flavor. 

• Sugar
• Acidity regulators(330)
• Fruit powder(based on specific flavor)
• Anticaking agent(341(ii))
• Stabilizers(415, 466, 1400)
• Food colors(171, 150d, 110, 102)
• Sweetener(960)
• Vitamins and minerals
• Iodized Salt
• Flavors

3 Reasons Tang is not good for health

Extremely high in sugar

One of the main reasons Tang is bad for your health is its extremely high sugar content.

In fact, every serving of Tang is more than 90% sugar. I don’t understand how a sugar-filled beverage can be promoted as healthy.

One serving (17g) of Tang has 15–16g of sugar or roughly 50% of the daily limit for adults. And most people add extra sugar when they make it, making it even worse.

In addition to added sugar, Tang also contains a sweetener called Steviol glycosides. Although this sweetener is natural and safe, I don’t understand why it was added since there’s already so much sugar present.

Drinking Tang frequently can cause your body to store too much sugar especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. 

Over time, this can result in several health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, tooth decay, and heart disease.

Also read: Glucon D: Everything You Should Know (Benefits + Side effects)

Use of synthetic food colors

The bright colors present in Tang when mixed with water are not from the fruit powder, but rather from the synthetic or artificial food colors added to it. 

Tang uses four different food colors among its flavors three of which, according to research, pose health risks.

These colors include Titanium dioxide(171), Sunset yellow FC(110), and Tartrazine(102).

While the FDA has deemed Titanium dioxide safe, research from the European Food Safety Authority suggests it may have genotoxic effects[1]. 

Meanwhile, Sunset yellow and Tartrazine have been found to have linked with allergies, anxiety, hyperactivity, abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea[2].

Although most studies have been conducted on animals, consuming foods containing synthetic colors is similar to placing your body to the test and exposing it to unexpected health risks in the long run. 

Low fruit concentrate

Tang is often marketed as filled with the goodness of orange or lemon or mango but in reality, it does not have even 2% of the fruit powder.

For example, the orange flavor of Tang contains only 0.8% orange fruit powder, while the lemon flavor contains only 0.9%, and the mango flavor contains 1.6%.

This means that any vitamins and minerals present in Tang are not sourced from the fruit powder, but are instead added synthetically, which may not be fully absorbed by the body.

But if the fruit concentrate is so low how does Tang taste the same as fruit juices? That’s because Tang uses both natural and artificial flavors to mimic the taste of natural fruit juice. 

Is Tang good for weight loss?

Tang is not good for weight loss as it contains a significant amount of added sugar and calories in each serving. If consumed frequently or in excess, it can contribute to weight gain.

Additionally, Tang does not provide significant amounts of nutrients that are essential for weight loss, such as protein and fiber which are an important part of a weight loss diet.

Note that weight loss is a complex process that depends on many factors such as diet and your level of activity.

Is Tang better than carbonated drinks?

Tang is a better alternative to carbonated drinks as it contains vitamins and minerals and does not have caffeine. However, it is just as high in sugar as carbonated drinks. 

Here is a quick nutritional comparison of Tang to some carbonated drinks.

Nutrients	Tang(17g)	Coco cola(100ml)	Sprite(100ml)
Calories	66	44	49
Carbohydrates(g)	16	10.9	12.2
Sugar	15.8	10.6	11.7
Fat	0	0	0
Protein	0	0	0
Sodium	6	8.5	0

Is sugar-free tang good for you?

Tang is also available in a Sugar-free option but is it good for you?

Despite being free of added sugar, Sugar-free tang is not completely good for you as it is loaded with risky ingredients such as maltodextrin and artificial colors. 

It also contains Phenylalanine, which can trigger allergic reactions in certain people.

However, if you want to completely cut out sugar from your Tang, you can go for it. 

Final words

While drinking tang may provide you with a refreshing experience and a quick energy boost, it is not good for your health as it has extremely high sugar levels, artificial colors, and low fruit concentrate.

However, because it comes with some vitamins and minerals, it is way better than carbonated drinks.

Moreover, if you love the taste of Tang, it is best to consume it occasionally.

Found this information helpful? Share it.

Here are a few other posts that might also be helpful for you.

• Is Charged Energy Drink Good For Health? Here’s The Truth
• Is Sting Energy Drink Good For Health? Everything You Need To Know
• Is Frooti Good For Your Health? Let’s Find Out!
• Is Maaza Good For Health? The Truth About This Mango Juice
• Is Tropicana Juice Healthy As Everyone Thinks? Let’s Find Out

FAQs