Why is Nestea Lemon classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The drink combines multiple refined ingredients such as sugar, fructose, citric acid, sodium citrate, lemon juice concentrate, black‑tea extract and a natural lemon aroma, plus two food‑grade additives: E300 (ascorbic acid) as an antioxidant and E960a (stevia glycosides) as a non‑nutritive sweetener, which together meet the criteria for a NOVA 4 ultra‑processed product.

How does the sugar content in Nestea Lemon affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 4.5 g of sugar per 100 g, the beverage provides a moderate amount of quickly absorbable carbs that can raise blood glucose levels, so people with diabetes should consume it sparingly; the very low salt (0.02 g) makes it negligible for hypertension, but the sugar remains the primary concern.

Based on its ingredients, is Nestea Lemon suitable for vegan, keto, halal or gluten‑free diets?

All listed components are plant‑derived, so the drink is vegan, gluten‑free and contains no animal products, making it halal‑compatible in practice; however, the 4.5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g exceeds the typical limit for a strict keto diet, so it is not ideal for keto followers.

Nestea

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Beverages

Product Insights

Nestea Lemon is a carbonated, lemon‑flavored iced tea marketed as a plant‑based beverage. It belongs to the PNNS groups "Beverages" and "Artificially sweetened beverages," carries a Nutri‑Score of D and is classified in NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra‑processed nature with added sugar, fructose, citric‑acid correction, sodium citrate, a natural lemon aroma, and two additives: E300 (ascorbic acid) and E960a (stevia glycosides). Nutritionally it is low in fat (0.5 g), saturated fat (0 g), salt (0.02 g) and calories (10 kcal per 100 g), but it provides only 0.5 g protein, no fiber and 4.5 g total sugars, including added sugars, making it a low‑calorie but sweetened drink.

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal10 kcal

Fat0.5 g

Saturated Fat0 g

Carbohydrates4.5 g

Sugars4.5 g

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average beverage, Nestea Lemon contains less sugar (4.5 g vs 5.69 g), less fat (0.5 g vs 1.04 g), virtually no saturated fat, far lower salt (0.02 g vs 1.06 g) and only 10 kcal per 100 g versus 70 kcal, while also delivering less protein and fiber.

Ingredients

Apă, zahăr, fructoză, corectori de aciditate: acid citric şi citraţi de sodiu, suc de lămâie (0,1%) obţinut din suc concentrat de lămâie, extract de ceai negru (0,08%), aromă naturală de lămâie cu alte arome naturale, antioxidant: acid ascorbic, indulcitor: glicozide steviolice din stevia. A se consuma de preferinţă înainte de sfârşitul/nr. lot (L): vezi inscripţia din partea superioară a ambalajului.

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