Is Orange Mango Sparkling Water & Real Squeezed Fruit Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look for hidden complexity in simple products. For this beverage, the ingredient list is remarkably transparent, which is excellent news for vegans. Let's look at the four components listed.

First, we have Sparkling Water. This is simply water that has been carbonated under pressure. There are no issues here; water is the most vegan substance on the planet. Second, we have Fresh Orange Juice. Provided the oranges were grown conventionally (which is standard), pure fruit juice is always vegan. We do not need to worry about the 'fining' agents sometimes used in wine, as this is raw juice.

Third, Alphonso Mango Puree is used. Alphonso is a specific cultivar of mango known for its rich texture and sweetness. A puree is just the fruit flesh blended down. Unlike jams or jellies which might use gelatin (animal-derived) or pectin (often plant-derived but sometimes processed with animal products), a 'puree' is strictly fruit. Finally, Citric Acid is added. This is the standard acidulant used in the food industry to balance sweetness and acidity. While it used to be extracted from lemons, today it is almost exclusively produced via the fermentation of molasses or corn syrup by the fungus Aspergillus niger. This is a completely vegan fermentation process.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this beverage sits somewhere between a soda and 100% fruit juice. Because it contains 'Real Squeezed Fruit' (orange juice and mango puree), it will contain natural sugars—specifically fructose. Unlike diet sodas that use artificial sweeteners like aspartame (which are vegan but controversial health-wise), this drink derives its sweetness from the fruit itself.

Expect a moderate calorie count compared to plain sparkling water, likely falling in the 40-60 calorie range per serving depending on the specific ratio of juice to water. It fits well into a healthy diet as a replacement for high-sugar sodas, providing a small amount of Vitamin C from the oranges. However, because of the natural sugar content, it should still be consumed in moderation, especially by those monitoring their glycemic index.