With so many different types of drinks on the market, it can be hard to know which one is the best for you. Some people might shy away from Rubicon because they think it’s too sugary. But is Rubicon really that bad for you? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Rubicon?
Rubicon is a fruit juice drink that comes in both still and sparkling versions. There are different flavours available, including mango, passion fruit and Lychee.
Despite containing added sugar, sweeteners and flavourings, Rubicon is made with the finest handpicked fruits and real fruit juice. It’s also a source of vitamin C.
Other Rubicon varieties
There are also other Rubicon varieties available which include Rubicon Spring (Flavoured Spring Water Drink with Fruit Juice, Sweetener and Vitamins) and Rubicon Raw Energy (Carbonated Mixed Fruit Juice and Flavour Energy Drink with Added Caffeine, Vitamins, Sugar and Sweetener).
Ingredients in Rubicon drinks
Here are some of the most popular Rubicon drinks, along with their ingredients:
| RUBICON FLAVOUR | INGREDIENTS |
| Rubicon Mango Fruit Juice (Still) | Water, Mango Puree (19%), Sugar, Fructose, Acid (Citric Acid), Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum), Vitamin C, Flavourings, Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K) |
| Rubicon Mango (Sparkling) | Carbonated Water, Mango Purée (8%), Sugar, Acid (Malic Acid), Stabilisers (Gellan Gum, Pectin), Flavourings, Colour (Beta Carotene), Sweetener (Sucralose), Preservative (Sodium Benzoate) |
| Rubicon Passion Fruit (Still) | Water, Passion Fruit Juice from Concentrate (13%), Sugar, Fructose, Stabiliser (Pectin), Flavourings, Vitamin C, Acid (Citric Acid), Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K) |
| Rubicon Passionfruit (Sparkling) | Carbonated Water, Sugar, Passion Fruit Juice from Concentrate (4%), Stabilisers (Gellan Gum, Pectin, Gum Arabic, Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosins), Acid (Malic Acid), Flavourings, Preservatives (E452i, E202), Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Colour (Beta Carotene), Sweetener (Sucralose) |
| Rubicon Lychee (Still) | Water, Lychee Puree (14%), Sugar, Fructose, Acid (Malic Acid), Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum), Flavourings, Vitamin C, Sweeteners (Sucralose, Acesulfame K) |
| Rubicon Spring Black Cherry & Raspberry Sparkling Flavoured Water | Carbonated Spring Water (97%), Fruit Juices from Concentrate (Raspberry 1.5%, Black Cherry 1%), Acid (Citric Acid), Natural Flavourings, Natural Raspberry Flavouring, Black Carrot Concentrate, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Sweetener (Sucralose), Acidity Regulator (Trisodium Citrate), Green Tea Extract, Vitamins (Niacin, B6, B12) |
| Rubicon Raw Raspberry & Blueberry Energy Drink | Carbonated Water, Fruit Juices from concentrate (20%) (Apple 9.5%, Grape 6%, Blackcurrant 1%, Raspberry 1%, Lime 1%, Blueberry 1%, Passion Fruit 0.5%), Sugar, Acid (Citric Acid), Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate), Natural Flavourings, Colour (Anthocyanins), Stabilisers (Pectin, Gum Arabic), Natural Caffeine from Green Coffee Beans (0.03%), Sweetener (Sucralose), Guarana Extract (0.01%), Ginseng Root Extract (0.01%), Vitamins (Niacin, B6, B12) |
All of the Rubicon drinks contain water, sugar and fruit juice. The type of fruit juice used varies depending on the variety of drink.
For example, the Rubicon Mango contains mango puree, whereas the Rubicon Passion Fruit contains passion fruit juice from concentrate. The other ingredients in Rubicon drinks include stabilisers, flavourings, sweeteners and vitamins.
The main difference between still and sparkling Rubicon drinks is carbonation. Sparkling drinks also contain less fruit juice than still drinks.
For example, the Rubicon Mango (Sparkling) contains 8% mango purée, whereas the Rubicon Mango (Still) contains 19% mango puree.
And there is only 4% of Passion Fruit Juice from Concentrate in Rubicon Passionfruit (Sparkling), whereas in Rubicon Passion Fruit (Still) there is 13% of Passion Fruit Juice from Concentrate.
Rubicon Raw Energy also contains caffeine, whereas other drinks do not.
Are there any concerning ingredients in Rubicon drinks?
One of the main ingredients in Rubicon drinks is sugar. Too much sugar can lead to weight gain, tooth decay and other health problems.
The NHS recommends that people consume no more than 30 grams of sugar per day. A can of Rubicon Sparkling Mango Juice (330ml) contains 15 grams of sugar, which is half of the recommended limit.
A can of Rubicon Raw Energy Drink (500ml), on the other hand, contains 23 grams of sugar, which is close to the recommended limit. It is important to consider these levels when making choices about your overall sugar consumption for the day.
Some people may also be concerned about the artificial sweeteners used in Rubicon drinks. These include Sucralose and Acesulfame K.
Artificial sweeteners have been linked to cancer and some studies have also linked artificial sweeteners to health problems such as weight gain and diabetes. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects.
Rubicon drinks also contain stabilisers and preservatives, which are added to extend the shelf life of the product. Some people may be sensitive to these ingredients and may experience gastrointestinal problems after consuming them.
Other ingredients that may be of concern include flavouring. Some flavourings, such as artificial raspberry flavouring, have been linked to cancer in animals.
Finally, the Rubicon Raw Energy drink contains caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause jitters, anxiety and insomnia. It is important to limit caffeine intake to 400 mg per day. A can of Rubicon Raw Energy contains 80 mg of caffeine, which is well within the recommended limit. However, people who are sensitive to caffeine may want to avoid this drink.
Overall, Rubicon drinks are safe to consume. However, if you are concerned about any of the ingredients, you should speak to your doctor or a registered dietitian before drinking them.
Rubicon juices – Nutritional information
The table below displays the nutritional information (per 100ml) for Rubicon mango, passionfruit, and Lychee flavour still drinks as well as one sparkling variety.
| Mango | Passionfruit | Lychee | Mango (Sparkling) | |
| Calories | 21kcal | 21kcal | 20kcal | 20kcal |
| Total fat | 0.5g | <0.5g | <0.5g | 0g |
| Total carbohydrates | 4.5g | 4.5g | 4.5g | 4.7g |
| Sugar | 4.4g | 4.4g | 4.5g | 4.5g |
| Protein | <0.5g | <0.5g | <0.5g | <0.5g |
| Salt | <0.01g | 0.02g | 0g | <0.01g |
| Vitamin C | 30mg | 30mg | 30mg | 0mg (not added) |
The nutritional information for Rubicon mango, passionfruit and lychee flavour drinks show that they are all low in calories, with around 20kcal per 100ml. They also all have a low-fat content, with less than 0.5g per 100ml.
The sugar content is high for all of the drinks, with 4.4-4.5g per 100ml. That’s around 1 teaspoon of sugar.
The protein and salt content is very low for all of the drinks, with less than 0.5g per 100ml. And finally, all of the drinks (apart from the sparkling flavours) are a good source of Vitamin C, providing 30mg per serving.
Is Rubicon healthy or not?
Overall, Rubicon juices can be considered a healthier option compared to sugary sodas and some other fruit juices. They are lower in calories and provide a good source of vitamin C. However, they still contain high levels of sugar and some people may want to limit their consumption.
Additionally, those who are concerned about the use of artificial sweeteners or preservatives may want to avoid these drinks. As with any food or drink, moderation is key. Consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about consuming Rubicon juices.
