Peace Teas are generally considered healthy as they contain natural ingredients and herbal extracts, but check labels for added sugars and calories.
Peace Tea has gained popularity as a refreshing, affordable beverage with fun packaging and natural-sounding claims. But is this tea as healthy as it appears? Let’s examine the ingredients, nutritional content, and potential health impacts to help you make an informed choice.
Peace Tea Nutrition Facts and Ingredients
A 23 oz can of Peace Tea contains approximately 150 calories, with sugar and sucralose as primary sweeteners. The exact ingredients vary by flavor, but most varieties include:
- Brewed tea concentrate
- Cane sugar
- Citric acid
- Natural flavors
- Sucralose (artificial sweetener)
While the packaging emphasizes “100% natural tea” and “no artificial flavors,” the presence of sucralose has raised concerns among health-conscious consumers. The amount of sucralose ranges from 16mg to 66mg per 695mL bottle depending on the flavor.
Sugar Content in Peace Tea
Peace Tea contains both cane sugar and concentrated fruit juices as sweeteners. A full 23 oz can contains about 39 grams of sugar – equivalent to nearly 10 teaspoons. This exceeds the American Heart Association’s recommended daily limit of 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women.
Artificial Sweetener Controversy
Sucralose, marketed as Splenda, is a chlorinated sugar derivative that’s 600 times sweeter than regular sugar. While the FDA considers it safe, some studies suggest potential concerns:
- May alter gut microbiota
- Could potentially affect insulin sensitivity
- Some people report headaches or digestive issues
For those looking for completely natural alternatives, consider making your own tea with a cold press juicer to add fresh fruit flavors without artificial sweeteners.
Healthier Tea Alternatives
If you enjoy Peace Tea but want healthier options, consider these alternatives:
Homemade Iced Tea
Brew your own tea and sweeten with:
- Fresh fruit juices
- Small amounts of honey or maple syrup
- Herbs like mint or basil for natural flavor
Store-Bought Alternatives
Look for brands that use:
- Only natural sweeteners
- No artificial ingredients
- Lower sugar content (under 20g per serving)
For those who enjoy the convenience of bottled tea but want more control over ingredients, a high-quality blender can help create customized tea-based drinks at home.
The Bottom Line on Peace Tea
Peace Tea offers a low-calorie, affordable alternative to soda with some antioxidant benefits from tea. However, the combination of sugar and artificial sweeteners may not be ideal for regular consumption. As with many beverages, moderation is key.
External research suggests that while occasional consumption is unlikely to cause harm, daily intake of artificially sweetened beverages may have unintended health consequences. The Psychology Today article on artificial sweeteners provides additional perspective on this debate.
For those particularly sensitive to artificial ingredients, Peace Tea may not be the best choice. As one consumer reported on Eco-Action, some people experience adverse reactions to the sucralose in these products.
