# How can I confirm the ingredients in this 7-Eleven beverage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 24, 2017, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144 "2017-09-24T03:37:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/1 "2017-09-24T03:37:29Z")
I’m trying to avoid sugared beverages, and also trying to avoid beverages with sugar substitutes. At 7-Eleven today, I found this “7 Select Sparkling Water Cherry Lime Naturally Flavored” (there was also a plain one and a cranberry-raspberry flavored one). The ingredients listed are: “Carbonated water and natural flavors” No sugar or sugar substitute listed, and it’s mostly a bitter flavor (kind of like quinine tonic water), but there is a hint of sweetness. I just want to confirm that there’s no sugar or sugar substitute added. Is there any place where I can look it up? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/2 "2017-09-24T04:00:34Z")
They’re under some pretty strict regulations to list the correct ingredients or substitutions for them. They may try to hide sugar by calling it dehydrated concentrated cane juice, but they still list _something_. If they just say water & flavors, that’s all it is. Flavored water. Did it list any calories? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/3 "2017-09-24T04:30:39Z")
Does it list carbohydrates? Sugar is a carbohydrate, and the label will list the amount of carbs, and specifically how many grams of sugar make up those carbs. If it has zero carbs, rejoice, because there is no sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/4 "2017-09-24T05:24:37Z")
The american seven eleven web sites don’t mention the product. All i could find was the flavour name seems to match the the la croix product. [Nutritional Facts & FAQ - LaCroix](http://www.lacroixwater.com/nutritional-faqs/) Also, the use of ingredients as “water, natural flavours” matches what la croix does and is known for. Whether or not its supplied by La Croix… the idea is that the labelling is consistent, the natural flavour is the actual fruit, so thats all they have to say… its the natural fruit flavours. fruit essence is the fruit distilled, so only volatile smelly tasty stuff is colllected. With fructose and sugar removed, there is almost no sugar of any sort , some strong food acids to give it flavour. There may be some natural sweeteners in the mix, but its surely not grams per litre… no calories in it. However tooth + acid = no tooth ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/5 "2017-09-24T12:53:13Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Does it list carbohydrates? Sugar is a carbohydrate, and the label will list the amount of carbs, and specifically how many grams of sugar make up those carbs. If it has zero carbs, rejoice, because there is no sugar. Zero calories, zero carbohydrates. But that wouldn’t rule out a sugar substitute would it? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/6 "2017-09-24T13:06:22Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Zero calories, zero carbohydrates. But that wouldn’t rule out a sugar substitute would it? No, it wouldn’t, but do the ingredients list a sugar substitute like Splenda (sucralose), ace-K, or aspartame? I really think you’re worrying needlessly. If the ingredients are only listed as water and natural flavorings, that’s all there is in it. If there were any artificial sweeteners, they’d be listed, too, like the aspartame in my diet cola. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/7 "2017-09-24T15:01:58Z")
The FDA regs have lower limits. Below a certain threshold manufacturers don’t need to mention either carbs, sugars, or specific ingredients. IIRC it’s 1/2 a gram on the nutritional analysis & some other value, perhaps a percentage, on the ingredient list. The good news is the thresholds are low enough that the OP can sensibly consider them to be zero. Unless you’re drinking the stuff by the gallon per hour. The thresholds for other warnings like the one to phenylketonurics is chosen based on sound science to protect the most allergic/sensitive of customers from overt bad reactions. Whether all that’s zero enough to meet the OP’s concern is up to them. I do know diabetics who consume La Croix products like they were water and upon testing find zero blood sugar reaction. How much to generalize that experience to other brands with identical ingredient lists modulo the FDA regs is up to you. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/8 "2017-09-24T16:00:38Z")
Cool. Thanks guys. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/9 "2017-09-24T16:15:27Z")
The simple answer is to stick to plain water. There is nothing to stop you adding a slice of lemon (carefully washed of course) or any other fruit for flavour. If you make it yourself - there is no doubt about the ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/10 "2017-09-24T17:24:20Z")
I occasionally want something carbonated. It’s for something more than just thirst. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/11 "2017-09-25T03:53:48Z")
I’m also a carbonated water fan, and glad it’s finally getting easier to purchase in places like Midwestern 7-Elevens. I haven’t seen the particular product you describe, but it sounds like benign flavored sparkling water products I’m seeing more frequently nowadays, distributed by Dasani, Ice Mountain, Schweppes, and Canada Dry. If I look in the right two shops, I can even find sparkling water at Dallas/Ft Worth Airport! Walgreens and other places have for years sold only sparkling water flavored and sweetened with aspartame or Stevia. Apparently they thought consumers would never buy anything that wasn’t _sweet,_ from one reason or another. Vile stuff that is, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/12 "2017-09-25T05:33:02Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > No, it wouldn’t, but do the ingredients list a sugar substitute like Splenda (sucralose), ace-K, or aspartame? I really think you’re worrying needlessly. If the ingredients are only listed as water and natural flavorings, that’s all there is in it. If there were any artificial sweeteners, they’d be listed, too, like the aspartame in my diet cola. Splenda also contains sugar (dextrose) and maltodextrin. 31% the calories of sugar. I don’t think the OP’s drink has sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/13 "2017-09-25T18:24:12Z")
Sounds like it is just standard flavored carbonated water, like la Croix (as mentioned above) or my personal poison, [Lime Perrier](https://www.perrier.com/intl/en/products/detail/lime). Just carbonated water and the flavor, no sugar. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/14 "2017-09-25T18:30:54Z")
You can make your own carbonated water with a SodaStream machine or something similar. I don’t particularly care for carbonated water, but a couple of friends have SodaStreams and love them. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/15 "2017-09-25T20:02:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **thelurkinghorror** : > > Splenda also contains sugar (dextrose) and maltodextrin. 31% the calories of sugar. Most artificial sweeteners contain sugar in their granulated form (for use in baking or putting in coffee or whatever), because you need to give them enough volume to be usable. But when you’re making industrial batches of things, you can just use the carefully-measured sweetener itself. And “natural flavors” doesn’t mean that they use the actual fruit that it’s supposed to taste like. If they were using cherries and limes, then the ingredient list would say “cherries” and “limes”. An ingredient listed as a “natural flavor” can come from almost any source, so long as it’s found in nature. For instance, strawberry “natural flavor” is made from a substance produced by glands in a beaver’s butt. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/16 "2017-09-25T20:33:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And “natural flavors” doesn’t mean that they use the actual fruit that it’s supposed to taste like. If they were using cherries and limes, then the ingredient list would say “cherries” and “limes”. An ingredient listed as a “natural flavor” can come from almost any source, so long as it’s found in nature. For instance, strawberry “natural flavor” is made from a substance produced by glands in a beaver’s butt. I had a hard time believing that food companies are harvesting beaver secretions to make all the worlds’ artificial strawberry flavor. I learned that castoreum from beavers is a natural flavor “generally regarded as safe” by the FDA and may be included in the ingredients for a strawberry-flavored food with “natural flavor.” However, its potential use isn’t limited to strawberry flavors. It could apparently also be used in vanilla or raspberry flavors and perhaps countless others. More importantly, the amount of castoreum in food sounds like it’s trivial at best, if for no other reason than that it’s expensive. > **[National Geographic Society Newsroom](https://news.nationalgeographic.org)** > > Ideas and Insight From the National Geographic Society [http://www.culinarylore.com/food-science:flavoring-ingredient-extracted-from-beaver-glan](http://www.culinarylore.com/food-science:flavoring-ingredient-extracted-from-beaver-glan) So perhaps 300 pounds per year get used in food. I bet there is way more accidental bug in our food than castoreum. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/17 "2017-09-25T20:45:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Most artificial sweeteners contain sugar in their granulated form (for use in baking or putting in coffee or whatever), because you need to give them enough volume to be usable. But when you’re making industrial batches of things, you can just use the carefully-measured sweetener itself. > > And “natural flavors” doesn’t mean that they use the actual fruit that it’s supposed to taste like. If they were using cherries and limes, then the ingredient list would say “cherries” and “limes”. An ingredient listed as a “natural flavor” can come from almost any source, so long as it’s found in nature. For instance, strawberry “natural flavor” is made from a substance produced by glands in a beaver’s butt. Huh? I’m not sure how the second paragraph is relevant to my post, I already know that and didn’t mention anything about that. As for the first, Splenda is \*\*specifically \*\*a mixture of artificial sweeteners and sugars. You can absolutely buy sucralose in bulk and add it to your product, but it’s specifically then sucralose and not Splenda without the sugars. I was riffing on the sneaky way that Splenda, in packet form, claims it is calorie free, when the ingredient list clearly says it contains sugars. They can do this because in packet quantities, they are allowed to round down anything below 5 kcal. And the castor gland is at least outside of the butt (I think the scientific term would be the “taint”). FDA guidelines are very generous about bug parts. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/18 "2017-09-25T21:04:07Z")
The second paragraph was in response to [**Isilder** ’s post #4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20495472&postcount=4), where he said that the natural flavoring was the actual fruit. Even if it isn’t specifically beaver butt secretions, it’s still usually not the actual fruit. And I said “butt”, not “anus” or “rectum”. The castor gland is part of the hindquarters of the animal. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/19 "2017-09-25T21:34:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And I said “butt”, not “anus” or “rectum”. The castor gland is part of the hindquarters of the animal. Either way, it’s allll natural. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144/20 "2017-09-25T21:41:05Z")
If you’re a \*chemicals are ruining everything \* true believer don’t ever read the ingredient list for a banana [http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2014/01/21/1226806/789895-2e77d7cc-823a-11e3-8c0a-8e0465bef8c3.jpg](http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2014/01/21/1226806/789895-2e77d7cc-823a-11e3-8c0a-8e0465bef8c3.jpg) It’ll put you off food for life. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-confirm-the-ingredients-in-this-7-eleven-beverage/797144.md?page=2)