BeatBox beverages have become increasingly popular in recent years, marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional sugary drinks. But are BeatBox drinks actually good for you? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients, nutrition facts, and health effects of these trendy drinks.
What is BeatBox?
BeatBox is a brand of fruit-flavored drinks that contain water, fruit juice, caffeine from green tea, and milk protein. They are marketed as a post-workout recovery drink or a nutritious on-the-go beverage. The milk protein provides some protein and calcium, while the fruit juice provides vitamins and antioxidants.
Compared to traditional sodas or energy drinks, BeatBox advertises itself as a healthier option with less sugar and more nutrients. The drinks come in a variety of flavors like strawberry, mango, lime, and lemonade. They contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
BeatBox Nutrition Facts
Here are the basic nutrition facts for a standard 16 oz BeatBox drink:
| Calories | 100 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 2.5 g |
| Sodium | 125 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Sugars | 16 g |
| Protein | 8 g |
As you can see, a 16 oz BeatBox contains 100 calories, 18 g of carbohydrates, 16 g of sugar, 8 g of protein, and 125 mg of sodium.
Compared to a similar sized soda, BeatBox has fewer calories, less sugar, more protein, and added vitamins from the fruit juice. However, the sugar content is still quite high at 16 grams per serving.
BeatBox Ingredients
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the main ingredients in BeatBox drinks:
Water – The base of every BeatBox is water. Staying hydrated is an important part of maintaining good health.
Fruit juice – About 10% of each BeatBox is fruit juice. This provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fruits like apples, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi. However, fruit juice is high in natural sugar.
Milk protein – Whey and milk protein makes up about 2% of a BeatBox. This adds a nutritious protein punch.
Natural flavors – Natural flavors like lemon, lime, and ginger are used to give each drink its signature taste.
Green tea extract – A small amount of green tea extract is added for a touch of caffeine. Green tea also provides antioxidants.
Stevia – The natural no-calorie sweetener stevia is used in place of sugar to sweeten BeatBox drinks.
Guarana seed extract – Contains a small amount of natural caffeine.
Inositol – A carb-like sugar that provides sweetness without calories or blood sugar impact.
Citric acid – Adds some tartness and fights oxidation.
Sucralose – An artificial sweetener used in small amounts.
So in summary, the ingredients are a mix of healthy items like water, milk protein, fruit juice, and green tea – combined with natural sugars, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine.
Are BeatBox Drinks Healthy?
When looking at the nutrient profile of BeatBox drinks, there are some pros and cons regarding their health effects:
Potential Benefits
Here are some of the possible benefits of drinking BeatBox beverages in moderation:
– More protein than soda – The milk proteins provide a solid protein boost.
– Some vitamins and minerals – Fruit juices add vitamins like Vitamin C and minerals like potassium.
– Less sugar than soda – BeatBox contains about half the sugar of regular sodas.
– No artificial colors or flavors – The drinks use natural flavors and colors.
– Hydration – They can help hydrate, especially after exercise.
– Antioxidants – Ingredients like green tea and fruit juice provide antioxidants.
– Low calorie option – With only 100 calories, they can be a lower calorie choice compared to some other drinks.
Potential Downsides
However, there are some potential downsides to consider as well:
– High in sugar – There are 16 grams of sugar in each 16 oz bottle, mainly from fruit juice. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of sugar per day for women and 36 grams for men, so BeatBox drinks provide over half of the recommended daily amount. Too much added sugar can negatively impact blood sugar levels and increase risk for cavities, obesity, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.[1]
– Lack of fiber – While fruit juice provides vitamins and minerals, it lacks the fiber of whole fruit that helps slow sugar absorption and promotes fullness. The juice concentrate may spike blood sugar quickly without fiber.
– Artificial sweeteners – Most BeatBox drinks contain sucralose or stevia sweeteners. Large amounts of artificial sweeteners are controversial in terms of effects on gut health and metabolism.[2]
– Caffeine content – The green tea extract and guarana seed extract add caffeine, which some people may want to limit for health or sleep reasons. Too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, headaches, and sleep problems in sensitive individuals.
– Expense – BeatBox drinks cost $2-3 per bottle, which is expensive compared to soda or making a healthy smoothie at home.
– Additive nature – As a grab-and-go beverage, BeatBox drinks may promote mindless drinking of liquid calories rather than eating solid whole foods and produce.
So while BeatBox drinks are not as bad as drinking a soda or energy drink, they may not be as wholesome or nutritious as drinking fruit-infused water, milks, or a homemade smoothie.
Comparisons to Other Drinks
How does BeatBox stack up against other popular bottled drinks? Here’s a nutritional comparison of a 16oz bottle:
BeatBox
– 100 calories
– 18g carbs
– 16g sugar
– 8g protein
Gatorade
– 140 calories
– 36g carbs
– 34g sugar
– 0g protein
Vitaminwater
– 120 calories
– 32g carbs
– 31g sugar
– 0g protein
Soda (Coke)
– 240 calories
– 65g carbs
– 65g sugar
– 0g protein
Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino
– 190 calories
– 30g carbs
– 23g sugar
– 2g protein
Naked Juice Smoothie
– 260 calories
– 52g carbs
– 44g sugar
– 2g protein
So BeatBox comes in lower than most competitors for calories, carbohydrates, and sugar content while providing more protein. The exception is that Naked Juice has more calories primarily from fruit juice sugars. Overall, if choosing among flavored drinks, BeatBox tends to be one of the healthier options. But plain water or unsweetened teas would be even better low-calorie choices.
Health Effects of Main Ingredients
Looking deeper at some of the main ingredients in BeatBox drinks, here are some of the researched health effects:
Fruit Juice
– Provides beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like Vitamin C, potassium, and polyphenols.[3]
– Spikes blood sugar quickly due to lack of fiber. Too much can increase risk for diabetes.[4]
– Linked to weight gain and obesity when consumed in excess.[5]
– Offers hydration due to high water content.
– Excessive juice consumption can lead to dental cavities.
Milk Protein
– High quality whey and casein proteins help build muscle when combined with exercise.[6]
– Provides amino acids for maintaining and repairing muscle tissue.[7]
– Contains calcium for bone health, vitamin D, and B vitamins.[8]
– Considered easily digestible, especially whey protein.
– Can help increase feelings of fullness when consumed with meals.
Green Tea Extract
– Provides antioxidants like EGCG that may protect heart health, brain function, and cancer risk.[9]
– Contains caffeine that can boost alertness, focus, and fat burning, but may disrupt sleep in excess.[10]
– Drinking 3-5 cups of green tea per day is optimal for health benefits. BeatBox drinks contain much less than this amount.
Stevia
– Derived from the stevia plant, it provides sweetness without caloric impact.[11]
– Does not spike blood sugar like sugar or artificial sweeteners.
– High purity stevia products like those in BeatBox are generally recognized as safe by regulatory agencies.
– Some people detect a bitter aftertaste, but many people accustom to it.
– Unlikely to cause weight gain or metabolic issues.
Guarana Seed Extract
– Contains caffeine and antioxidants like tannins and saponins.[12]
– Boosts energy, mental focus, and exercise performance.
– May interact negatively with medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, mental health conditions, and heart disease.
– Excess consumption can cause rapid heartbeat, anxiety, insomnia, headache, upset stomach, and other side effects.
Sucralose
– Artificial sweetener that provides sweet taste without calories or spiking blood sugar.[13]
– Approved as safe by FDA and other health agencies, but some recent studies suggest it may alter healthy gut bacteria.[14]
– May still trigger release of insulin in response to sweet taste, despite not containing sugar or calories.
– With long-term use, may increase appetite and promote weight gain.
So in summary, some ingredients like fruit juice and milk proteins offer nutritional benefits, while other additions like sucralose and high amounts of caffeine may have negative health effects for some people.
Health Concerns
Drinking BeatBox beverages may potentially impact:
Blood Sugar – The combination of fruit juice and artificial sweeteners may spike blood sugar and insulin when consumed in excess.[15] This could be risky for diabetics or pre-diabetics.
Dental Health – Like other sugary drinks, the natural sugars in BeatBox could contribute to cavities and tooth decay if consumed frequently without proper dental hygiene. The acids may also erode tooth enamel over time.[16]
Bone Health – The milk proteins provide calcium for bone density, but the acids and potential displacement of milk may negatively affect bone health when consumed in excess long-term, especially in children.[17]
Weight Gain – While BeatBox drinks are relatively low in calories, the combination of sweet taste and lack of fiber could promote over-consumption and obesity over time, especially when consumed instead of wholesome foods.[18]
Heartburn – The acidic nature of fruit juices may aggravate heartburn symptoms in those with acid reflux or GERD.[19]
Interaction with Medications – The caffeine and guarana extract could potentially interact with some medications for mental health conditions, heart disease, or blood pressure regulation. Those taking prescription medications should consult their doctor before consuming large amounts.[20]
Overall, while BeatBox makes efforts to create a healthier flavored drink, regular consumption may negatively impact blood sugar regulation, dental health, weight management, and acid reflux in sensitive individuals. Moderation is key.
Who Should Drink BeatBox?
Here are some instances where drinking a BeatBox beverage may be appropriate and beneficial:
– After an intense workout – The protein and electrolytes can help recovery and hydration. The sugars replenish glycogen stores.
– As an occasional meal replacement – The protein keeps you full and the vitamins provide nourishment.
– As a treat in moderation – The fun flavors provide variety.
– When you need portable nutrition – The drinks are shelf-stable and portable.
– For a caffeine boost – The green tea and guarana provide a hit of natural caffeine.
However, BeatBox is not recommended:
– For diabetics or those struggling with blood sugar regulation, due to the sugar and carb content.
– For children or adolescents, who should get nutrition from whole foods and milk instead of fortified drinks. The caffeine is also concerning for youth.
– For people with acid reflux or GERD, as the acidity can exacerbate symptoms.
– For those watching their weight, as the drinks provide empty liquid calories.
– For dental health, as the drinks may contribute to cavities.
– As a frequent beverage due to the high sugar content. Best reserved for occasional intake only.
Top 3 Healthiest BeatBox Flavors
If you choose to occasionally drink a BeatBox, these flavors are relatively healthier options:
1. BeetBox Berry – This flavor is made with beet juice, which provides nitrates that may improve workout performance and boost cardiovascular health.[21] The berry taste comes from a healthier mix of juices like strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry instead of just pure sugar.
2. BeatBox Limeade – Lime juice adds a dose of immunity-boosting vitamin C. This tart flavor has a light green tea undertone. The lime juiciness cuts the sweetness.
3. BeatBox Lemon Ginger – The ginger adds anti-inflammatory properties and lemon provides vitamin C. This flavor is slightly lower in sugar at 13g per bottle. The spicy ginger spice cuts the sweetness.
These three flavors use juices with additional health-promoting properties while keeping sugar content in check.
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking for a healthy flavored drink, here are some alternatives to consider instead of BeatBox:
– Unsweetened iced tea with lemon – Provides antioxidants without calories or sugar. Add fruit like berries for natural flavor.
– Seltzer or flavored sparkling water – Hydrating bubbles without sugar, calories, or artificial sweeteners. Jazz up plain seltzer with real orange or lime slices.
– Coconut water – Packed with electrolytes like potassium to rehydrate. Look for unsweetened varieties.
– Milk – Nutritious protein, calcium, vitamin D without additives. Opt for low-fat or non-fat to cut calories.
– Fresh fruit smoothies – Blend milk or yogurt with banana and mixed berries for a nutrient-dense drink full of fiber.
– Diluted fruit juice – For the vitamin C benefits without excess sugar, dilute 100% juice with plain seltzer or water.
– Fruit-infused water – Healthy hydration by adding citrus slices, melons, berries, cucumbers, or herbs like mint to water.
Choosing more natural, less sweetened drinks without additives is best for everyday health and hydration. Water and milk remain nutrition all-stars.
Conclusion
BeatBox drinks advertise themselves as nutritious beverages that fuel your body with vitamins, protein, electrolytes, and antioxidants. However, the high sugar content from fruit juice concentrates along with artificial sweeteners make their everyday health impacts questionable.
While they may serve well for post-workout recovery or the occasional treat, relying on these flavored drinks too often could negatively impact blood sugar regulation, dental health, weight management, and digestive issues in sensitive individuals due to the sweeteners, acids, and lack of fiber. Water and milk remain the gold standards for regular hydration and nutrition needs. Overall, BeatBox drinks are a better option than soda or energy drinks, but should be consumed in moderation as part of an otherwise balanced diet focused on whole foods.
