Is Izze Bad For You? How Healthy Is It Really?

Izze (or Izzy, Izzie, Izzi, or Izzies – whatever way you spell it) was born in 2002 under the leadership of two friends, Todd and Greg. Being huge fans of sparkling sodas, they created this new beverage and sold it in exclusive flavors. Subsequently, in 2006, the company was sold to PepsiCo Inc.

Izze is touted as a healthy drink made with natural fruit juice and sparkling water. It is claimed to be free of gluten, additives, added sugars, and preservatives.

Are the claims true? Is Izze good or bad for you? Let’s explore.

Izze ingredients

According to the company, 70 percent of Izze is natural fruit juice and the remaining is sparkling water. The beverage is also said to be devoid of preservatives, additives, and added sugars.

As per the product packaging, the ingredients are –

• Sparkling water
• Fruit juice concentrate
• Natural flavor
• Citric acid
• Acerola juice concentrate
• Ascorbic acid
• Niacinamide
• Pyridoxine hydrochloride

The nutrition facts as provided on the package are like this in a container with 248 milliliters are as follows:

Calories	90
Sodium	20 milligrams
Total carbohydrates	22 grams
Total sugars	20 grams
Vitamin C	18 milligrams
Niacin	2 milligrams
Vitamin B6	0.2 milligrams,

However, the company has accused of deceiving health-conscious consumers into buying its drinks by claiming that the product does not contain preservatives or added sugars.

One lawsuit, filed in 2018, alleges that Izze contains citric acid and ascorbic acid – which are preservatives. It also contends that the drink does contain added sugars and its calorie count is higher than most other beverages.

Izze flavors

Izze is available in cans and glass bottles. It is offered in a variety of delectable flavors. Izze cans come in 10 flavors, while the bottles are available in 9 flavors.

Izze drinks come in the following flavors

• Mango
• Blackberry
• Apple
• Orange
• Cherry Lime
• Original Lemonade
• Clementine
• Grapefruit
• Peach
• Blackberry Lemonade
• Pomegranate

What does Izze taste like?

The company describes Izze as a combination of bold flavors and fizz. Izze can be called a sparkling juice because it is made of sparkling water and fruit juice. Its taste is likened to soda which offers a stimulating experience and a crisp feel. The beverage is preferred for the freshness it brings about.

The flavor that you pick will have the whiff of fruit as the dominant taste. In fact, the aroma of the fruit is what will greet you as soon as you open the bottle or the can. The presence of citric acid provides a tangy essence irrespective of the flavor.

Izze drinks do not have strong odors of preservatives. Consumers generally enjoy the drink when it is served cold rather than at room temperature.

Is Izze carbonated?

Izze is marketed as a fruit drink prepared with sparkling water. The sparkling water is indeed prepared with an infusion of carbon dioxide. Therefore – yes, Izze is a carbonated drink.

The company calls the beverage a fizzy drink. However, the product packaging does not mention carbonated water or carbon dioxide in the ingredients list – which is misleading.

Drinking carbonated beverages does not impact health adversely – yes if consumed in moderation. In fact, when consumed in moderation, it helps ease digestion and constipation.

Drinking the carbonation-filled Izze every day or in large portions could however have these side effects.

• You could become addicted to the drink as the fizz provides an exhilarating experience.
• Overconsumption of the drink could lead to poor bone health as carbonation impacts the absorption of calcium by the body.
• Carbon dioxide in the beverage will turn into acid when you consume it, eroding your tooth enamel and causing tooth decay. It may also cause wounds in your mouth.
• Carbonated water is filled with gas and guzzling it will cause bloating. It could also make you burp and belch excessively.
• Consumption of carbonated water will trigger the release of the hunger hormone known as ghrelin. Therefore, the beverage could make you hungry and lead to overeating.

Is there alcohol in Izze?

Izze is a sparkling fruit beverage. It is said to be made of sparkling water and fruit juice. The drink does not contain alcohol.

Is Izze an energy drink?

Izze is not advertised as an energy drink. The chief ingredient of the beverage is fruit juice – which is rich in energy-enhancing components like vitamin C, natural sugars, carbohydrates, and proteins. The other primary ingredient, sparkling water, helps in hydration and maintenance of energy levels in the muscles.

As per the product package, Izze also contains citric acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. These chemicals regulate metabolic energy levels, help execution of basic functions, control the healthy functioning of cells, and beat fatigue.

Nevertheless, it is not a good idea to rely on Izze for energy during workouts or illness. Eating whole fruits and drinking fresh fruit juice or coconut water or even plain water are better options to recharge your energy.

What is the calorie count in Izze?

The calorie count in Izze depends on the flavor. An eight-ounce bottle contains 87-107 calories, while a 12-ounce bottle is packed with 130-160 calories.

According to dietary guidelines of the Government of the USA, a calorie intake of 1,600-3,000 a day is recommended depending on your gender and age. A healthy adult consumes 500-700 calories in each meal and about 150-250 calories in snacks. If you are adding about 100 calories from Izze, you are surely exceeding the daily recommended limit. Therefore, consuming Izze every day or in sizeable quantities is not healthy.

Intake of excessive calories will result in obesity, a higher amount of fat in blood and organs, clogged arteries, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, weakness, and lethargy.

Is there caffeine in Izze?

Izze is a combination of fruit juice and sparkling water. It does not contain caffeine.

Some sparkling water and bottled fruit juice products in the market have small amounts of caffeine in them. While consumption of caffeine in small amounts is not harmful, increased intake is likely to cause insomnia, heartburn, tremors, increased blood pressure, and digestive problems. Some people are also allergic to caffeine.

Sugar content in Izze

A serving of 248 milliliters of Izze contains 20 grams of sugar. The quantity could vary slightly depending on the flavor. The beverage is claimed to be sans added sugar. So, the sugar content is said to be entirely in the form of fructose. However, a lawsuit filed against the company in 2018 alleges that Izze contains added sugar.

The daily recommended intake of sugar is 36 grams on the higher side. This includes sugar in all forms. If you are ingesting 20 grams of sugar from a small can of Izze alone, is it healthy?

Fructose, which gives the sweet taste to Izze drinks, is treated similarly to sugar by most experts. This is especially with fructose found in processed foods and drinks. The reason is, that excessive intake of fructose is linked to increased insulin resistance, diabetes, hardening of arteries, and cardiovascular diseases.

As per the product packaging, Izze does not contain artificial sweeteners, aspartame, or corn sugar.

Are Izze drinks healthy?

Izze is touted to primarily contain fruit juice. Nevertheless, it is a processed and packaged drink. The harmful effects of such products are –

• They are addictive
• The exhilarating effect of fizz could discourage you from consuming fresh fruits and fresh juices
• Deceive you about the existence of nutrients
• They lack fiber
• Increase the risk of diabetes due to high sugar content
• Carbonation leads to tooth decay, bone loss, and acidity
• Stored fruit drinks run a high risk of growth of bacteria, mold, yeast, and pathogens
• Packaged drinks mostly contain chemicals for preservation

Izze is surely a better option compared to sodas or alcoholic beverages as it contains natural fruits and antioxidants. However, it must be consumed in moderation because of the above-stated reasons. If you wish to be energized and hydrated by fruits, eating whole fruits, and drinking fresh juices are always ideal and healthy.

Let us examine if Izze drinks can be safely consumed in the following instances.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you could consume Izze in moderation when you are thirsty and fatigued, and there is no access to fresh fruit, juice, or water. You could also drink it occasionally as carbonation could help you deal with nausea and morning sickness. However, drinking Izze habitually during pregnancy is not good.

The product is advertised to not contain preservatives and added sugar. However, there are allegations contending this claim. Further, even the fructose level in Izze drinks is very high. Therefore, their consumption during pregnancy could result in gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, tiredness, weight gain, and preterm birth.

Additionally, increased intake of carbonation will deprive you of calcium absorption at a time when the mineral is most crucial for you and your fetus. It could also hamper your digestive system and aggravate your morning sickness.

Pregnancy is a time when you and your developing fetus require immense nutrition. So, do not be deceived that the packaged fruit drink can fulfill your nutrient requirements. The drink is also devoid of fiber, which is essential to keep blood cholesterol levels low and overcome constipation during pregnancy. Further, if the drink is contaminated with bacteria or pathogens, the infection will affect your health and immune system.

It is certainly recommended that pregnant women look at healthier options like fresh fruits, homemade juices, coconut water, and plain water.

Diabetics

If you are a diabetic, you must stay away from Izze drinks. Elevated levels of sugar, carbohydrates, and preservatives increase the risk of diabetes and poor insulin response in diabetics. Further, as a diabetic, you need a high amount of fiber to regulate your blood sugar levels, manage weight gain, and cut down the risk of heart diseases. However, the fruit drink is absolutely bereft of fiber.

You could sip on an Izze drink very rarely depending on the severity of your diabetic condition. Consuming whole fruits will provide you with fiber and complete goodness of the fruit. Juices made with real fruits with hygienic water are a healthier option when you crave fruit juice.

Weight loss

Izze is a packaged fruit drink that lacks fiber and phytonutrients. It is high in sugar, carbohydrates, and calories. Yes, it is not a good partner for your weight loss journey.

Like all other conditions, grab a fresh fruit to become slimmer. Avoiding juices is better for you as they do not contain fiber as whole fruits do.

Are Izze drinks Whole30 compliant?

Whole30 is a diet that propagates the consumption of whole and unprocessed foods. It discourages the intake of sugars and additives. While sparkling water and fruit juices are permitted under Whole30, Izze may not get a green signal from Whole30 as it is a processed and packaged product.

Are Izze drinks healthier than soda?

Yes, Izze drinks are healthier than soda. The beverage is made of natural fruit and sparkling water. It contains fructose and small portions of some nutrients. On the other hand, soda is a synthetic drink that contains humongous amounts of sugar. Regular consumption of soda causes obesity, loss of bone density, tooth cavities, digestive problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and risk of cancer.

Is Izze gluten-free?

According to the company website, Izze is gluten-free. No ingredient of the beverage contains protein.

Is Izze vegan?

Yes, Izze is vegan. The beverage does not use any animal products. Fruit and sparkling water are its chief ingredients.

Do Izze drinks expire?

Izze drinks expire after nine months. It is not advisable to consume it after the expiry date as the fruit juice may get spoilt over a period.