Is Celsius Ultra Processed?
Yes — Ultra-Processed
Celsius energy drinks are ultra-processed (Level 4). They contain carbonated water, citric acid, sucralose (artificial sweetener), natural flavors, and a proprietary MetaPlus blend of caffeine, taurine, guarana extract, green tea extract, and ginger root — a formulation engineered for functional beverage marketing.
Key Findings
- •Despite "fitness drink" marketing, Celsius uses the same ultra-processed formulation pattern as traditional energy drinks: synthetic caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and proprietary blends
- •The 200mg caffeine per can comes from a combination of synthetic caffeine and guarana extract — a strategy that makes the caffeine content less obvious on the label
- •Plain coffee or green tea provides caffeine at Level 1 without artificial sweeteners, proprietary blends, or industrial additives
Why Is Celsius Ultra-Processed?
Celsius positions itself as a "fitness drink" rather than an energy drink, but the formulation follows the same ultra-processed pattern as other energy beverages. The MetaPlus proprietary blend combines synthetic caffeine (200mg per can) with guarana extract (another caffeine source), taurine (industrially synthesized amino acid), green tea extract (EGCG), ginger root extract, and chromium. Sucralose (an artificial sweetener 600 times sweeter than sugar) provides sweetness without calories. Citric acid, natural flavors, and various fruit juice concentrates (for color and marketing claims) round out the formulation. The "natural" positioning is marketing — natural flavors are highly refined extracts, and the functional ingredient blend is an industrial formulation not found in any natural food.
How to Read Celsius Labels
- 1
Celsius contains 200mg of caffeine per can — equivalent to about 2.5 cups of coffee
- 2
Sucralose is a synthetic sweetener produced by chlorinating sugar molecules
- 3
"MetaPlus blend" is a proprietary label that obscures individual ingredient amounts
- 4
"Natural flavors" in Celsius are highly refined chemical extracts, not whole food ingredients
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Celsius better than other energy drinks?
From a processing standpoint, Celsius is Level 4 — the same as Red Bull, Monster, and other energy drinks. It uses a different marketing approach (fitness-oriented) but the same formulation pattern: synthetic caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and proprietary ingredient blends.
Is Celsius healthier because it has no sugar?
Celsius replaces sugar with sucralose, an artificial sweetener. While this reduces calories, it does not reduce the processing level. The drink still contains synthetic caffeine, industrial flavoring agents, and a proprietary blend of functional ingredients. It remains Level 4.
What is a less processed alternative to Celsius?
Black coffee (Level 1, ~95mg caffeine per cup) or green tea (Level 1, ~30-50mg caffeine per cup) provide caffeine without artificial sweeteners or proprietary blends. Unsweetened cold brew is another Level 1-2 option.