Why is Monster Energy Ultra classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The drink receives a NOVA 4 rating because its formula is built from many isolated ingredients and additives rather than whole foods, including artificial sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium), preservatives (potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate), acidity regulators (citric acid, sodium citrate), colorants (Yellow 5, Yellow 6), and flavor enhancers such as panax ginseng flavor and natural flavors.

How does the caffeine and artificial sweetener content affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

The product contains 150 mg of caffeine per serving, which can raise blood pressure in sensitive individuals, but it has zero sugars and very low carbohydrate content, so it does not directly increase blood glucose levels; however, some artificial sweeteners may influence gut microbiota and insulin response in certain people.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like Vegan, Keto, or Gluten‑Free?

All listed ingredients are plant‑based or synthetic, making the drink compatible with vegan and gluten‑free diets, and its very low carbohydrate (3 g per 100 g) and zero sugar content fit well within a keto framework, though the presence of caffeine and sweeteners may be a consideration for some users.

Monster Energy • 16 fl oz

Monster Energy Ultra, Peachy Keen, Sugar Free

Beverages

Product Insights

Monster Energy Ultra Peachy Keen Sugar Free is an artificially sweetened energy drink that belongs to the artificially sweetened beverages group. It is classified as an ultra‑processed product (NOVA 4) and contains several additives such as sucralose, acesulfame potassium, colorants Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and preservatives potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate. Nutritionally it provides virtually no sugars, fat or protein, only about 3 g of carbohydrates and a modest amount of salt per 100 g, resulting in a very low calorie count but also offering little substantive nutrition, and its Nutri‑Score is not assigned (unknown).

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 ml

Added Sugars0 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average energy‑drink profile, this Monster Ultra contains zero sugars (vs 5.69 g/100 g), no fat (vs 1.04 g), only about 0.16 g of salt (vs 1.06 g) and 3 g of carbohydrates (vs 10.48 g), making it markedly lower in calories and macronutrients.

Ingredients

CARBONATED WATER, CITRIC ACID, TAURINE, SODIUM CITRATE, PANAX GINSENG FLAVOR, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE), CAFFEINE, SUCRALOSE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), NIACINAMIDE (VIT. B3), ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE (VIT. B5), L-CARNITINE L-TARTRATE, INOSITOL, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VIT, B6), YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VIT. B12)

84%

35%

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