Yes, frozen lemonade concentrate does contain sugar. The main ingredients in frozen lemonade concentrate are water, high fructose corn syrup, and lemon juice concentrate. Both high fructose corn syrup and lemon juice concentrate contain natural sugars, so frozen lemonade concentrate contains significant amounts of sugar overall.
What are the main ingredients in frozen lemonade concentrate?
The primary ingredients in frozen lemonade concentrate are:
- Water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Lemon juice concentrate
- Natural flavors
- Citric acid
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Preservatives
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is added as a sweetener, while lemon juice concentrate provides lemon flavoring and some natural sugars. Other minor ingredients like preservatives and vitamin C are also included.
Does high fructose corn syrup contain sugar?
Yes, high fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that contains sugar. It is made from corn starch that has been processed to convert some of its glucose into fructose. The resulting syrup tastes sweeter than regular sugar from sucrose or table sugar.
HFCS contains roughly 55% fructose and 45% glucose. Both fructose and glucose are simple sugars or monosaccharides. So while HFCS doesn’t contain sucrose like table sugar, it does contain two other natural sugars in fructose and glucose. This means HFCS can be considered a sugar itself and does contribute sugar content to foods it is added to.
Does lemon juice concentrate have sugar?
Yes, lemon juice concentrate also contains natural sugar. Fresh lemon juice contains simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose. When lemon juice is concentrated into a syrup, these natural sugars are concentrated as well.
Lemon juice concentrate may contain around 60% sugars, primarily in the form of fructose and glucose. So lemon juice concentrate can add both sweetness and lemon flavor to frozen lemonade concentrate.
How much sugar is in frozen lemonade concentrate?
The exact amount of sugar in frozen lemonade concentrate can vary between brands. But on average, a 1⁄4 cup serving (60ml) of frozen lemonade concentrate contains about:
- Total sugars: 21 grams
- Added sugars: 15 grams
- Glucose: 10 grams
- Fructose: 10 grams
- Sucrose: 1 gram
As you can see, over 20 grams of sugar are found in a typical serving of frozen lemonade concentrate. The majority comes from the added HFCS, as well as naturally occurring sugars in the lemon juice concentrate.
How does frozen lemonade concentrate compare to fresh lemonade?
Freshly squeezed lemonade actually contains less sugar and calories compared to reconstituted frozen lemonade made from concentrate. Here is a comparison:
| Beverage (12 oz serving) | Total sugars | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lemonade (with 2 tbsp sugar) | 14 grams | 60 |
| Reconstituted frozen lemonade | 32 grams | 130 |
The frozen lemonade contains over twice the amount of sugar compared to the fresh version. It also contains more than double the calories in a 12 oz serving.
This is because fresh lemonade is made with basic ingredients like lemon juice, water, and a small amount of sweetener. Frozen lemonade concentrates contain added sugars in the form of HFCS.
Is sugar necessary in frozen lemonade concentrate?
Sugar is necessary in frozen lemonade concentrate for reasons including:
- Sweetness – Sugar like HFCS improves the taste and sweetness.
- Preservation – Sugar acts as a preservative to prevent spoilage during freezing and storage.
- Texture – Sugar helpsfrozen lemonade maintain a smooth, consistent texture after reconstitution.
- Mouthfeel – Sugar improves the body and mouthfeel of the lemonade.
Some sugar could theoretically be replaced with artificial sweeteners. However, sugar plays roles beyond just sweetening in frozen lemonade concentrate. Manufacturers prefer to use HFCS and lemon juice concentrate as all-natural ingredients too.
Is there such a thing as sugar-free frozen lemonade concentrate?
There are a few sugar-free frozen lemonade concentrates on the market, but they are less common than regular frozen lemonade concentrate.
Some brands of sugar-free frozen lemonade concentrate contain:
- Sucralose or aspartame for sweetening
- Natural lemon flavoring
- Thickeners like guar gum
- Preservatives
However, most mainstream frozen lemonade concentrates contain HFCS as the main sweetener rather than artificial sweeteners. Large brands like Minute Maid and Country Time do not offer sugar-free frozen lemonade concentrates.
What are added sugars?
Added sugars refer to sugars that are added during processing or preparation of foods and beverages. This includes sweeteners like:
- Table sugar (sucrose)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Syrups
- Fruit juice concentrates
Added sugars are eaten separately on top of naturally occurring sugars found in whole foods like fruits and dairy. Consuming too many added sugars can lead to excess calorie intake.
Why are added sugars a concern?
Public health experts recommend limiting added sugars for reasons such as:
- Extra calories – Added sugars pack calories without nutrition.
- Weight gain – Eating excess added sugars may contribute to obesity.
- Diabetes risk – Sugary foods can increase risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Dental cavities – Sugar promotes tooth decay.
The American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day, and men no more than 36 grams. Frozen lemonade concentrate contains 15 grams added sugar per small serving.
Should you avoid frozen lemonade concentrate due to the sugar content?
Frozen lemonade concentrate can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. A few tips include:
- Dilute more than directed – Use more water than instructed to dilute the sweetness.
- Mix with fresh lemonade – Combine equal parts fresh and frozen concentrate.
- Limit portion sizes – Stick to small 4-6oz servings.
- Count toward daily sugar intake – Be mindful of your added sugar consumption.
Enjoyed responsibly, frozen lemonade can be a refreshing cooler option. But beware of overdoing the added sugars from concentrates and syrups.
Conclusion
In summary, frozen lemonade concentrate does contain significant amounts of added sugars, primarily from high fructose corn syrup. The HFCS and natural sugars in lemon juice concentrate add up to over 20 grams of sugar per small serving. While frozen lemonade can be enjoyed occasionally, it is high in added sugars compared to fresh lemonade made with minimal sweetener. Be mindful of excess added sugar intake when using frozen lemonade concentrates.
