Is Aguas Frescas Juice Beverage Strawberry Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed beverage is safe for a gluten-free diet, we look beyond the obvious. We need to examine the sweeteners, preservatives, and flavorings. Let's look at the specific ingredients in Aguas Frescas Juice Beverage Strawberry.

The base of this drink consists of PURE FILTERED WATER and HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Corn syrup is derived from corn, which is naturally gluten-free. Similarly, the APPLE JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE and STRAWBERRY JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE are fruit-based and pose no gluten risk.

Where gluten often hides is in flavorings or stabilizers, but here, the NATURAL FLAVOR is generally derived from fruit sources in fruit beverages. The preservatives listed—SODIUM BENZOATE and POTASSIUM SORBATE—are synthetic salts used to prevent mold and yeast; they are gluten-free. The acidity regulator CITRIC ACID is also safe.

Finally, the additives SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE (a sequestrant to maintain clarity) and CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (to protect color) are chemical compounds that do not contain gluten. The inclusion of SUCRALOSE (an artificial sweetener) and FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE (for color) further confirms the absence of gluten-containing grains.

Nutritional Value

While this beverage is gluten-free, it is important to consider its nutritional profile. The primary ingredient after water is HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, meaning this is a sugar-sweetened beverage. For those monitoring their sugar intake, this drink should be consumed in moderation.

The addition of SUCRALOSE indicates it is a low-calorie sweetened option, likely to keep the calorie count lower than a full-sugar juice. However, the combination of concentrated fruit juices and added sweeteners creates a sweet taste without significant vitamins, minerals, or fiber. It fits into a gluten-free diet easily, but for a healthy diet, water or whole fruit is always the superior choice.