Vimto squash is a well-known soft drink enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s made from a blend of fruits, mainly grapes, blackcurrants and raspberries.
Because it contains fruit, many assume Vimto is healthy. So what’s the real picture?
Ingredients and additives
The main ingredients are water, sugar and grape, blackcurrant and raspberry juice from concentrate. It also contains citric acid, natural flavouring, colouring and the acidity regulator sodium citrate. Preservatives used are sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Vimto also includes artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame K) and added vitamins C and D.
How healthy is it?
Vimto does include some nutritious elements, like fruit juices and vitamins C and D. But it also has sugar and artificial sweeteners. Sugar adds calories and can lead to weight gain and tooth decay. Artificial sweeteners aren’t risk-free either and may cause digestive issues or other side effects for some people.
Nutrition at a glance
A 200ml serving (diluted) has no fat or protein and only a small amount of salt. It does, however, contain over 9 grams of sugar — almost two teaspoons — which makes it a poor choice if you’re trying to cut down on sugar. A 200ml serving of Vimto contains about 38 calories, mainly from the added sugar. By comparison, a 330ml can of Coca-Cola has 139 calories and a 200ml glass of orange juice about 85 calories. So Vimto isn’t as high in calories as some drinks, but it’s still fairly sugary.
Benefits
– Contains vitamins C and D, which support immune and bone health.
– Contributes to daily fluid intake, helpful for staying hydrated.
– Caffeine-free, so it’s suitable for children and pregnant women who avoid caffeine.
– Provides a quick energy boost because of the sugar.
Drawbacks
– High sugar content makes it unsuitable for weight loss and raises the risk of tooth decay.
– The no-added-sugar version uses artificial sweeteners, which have their own potential health concerns and should be consumed sparingly.
– Artificial sweeteners can cause digestive upset in some people.
Pregnancy, teeth and weight loss
Vimto is safe in pregnancy from a caffeine standpoint, but its sugar makes it wise to limit intake to avoid unnecessary weight gain. It’s not a good drink for weight loss. The sugar also means it can harm dental health.
Vimto vs Ribena
Both are fruit squashes with similar ingredients — water, sugar, juice concentrates, flavourings, preservatives and sometimes sweeteners. Key differences: Vimto contains added vitamin D while Ribena doesn’t. Vimto uses a mix of fruit juices; Ribena is mainly blackcurrant and typically has a higher juice content (about 30% vs Vimto’s ~10%).
Conclusion
Vimto squash has some positive points — fruit juices and added vitamins — but its high sugar content and use of artificial sweeteners mean it isn’t a particularly healthy drink. It’s better than some soft drinks, but not ideal as a regular choice. If you do drink it, dilute it with more water and enjoy it in moderation.