Glucon-DEnergy & Sports Drinks#2 of 7 in categoryRating 2.3/5

Glucon-D Recharge Orange Hydration & Drink Mix

Red flags

  • Red flag: Contains Potassium Sorbate

Green flags

  • Green flag: Low sodium

Ingredients, decoded

9 listed
  • Water
  • Glucose
  • Minerals (Magnesium Sulphate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Lactate, Zinc Gluconate)
  • Nature Identical Flavouring Substances (Orange)
  • Acidity Regulator (Ins 330)
  • Preservative (Ins 202)
  • Antioxidants ((Ins 300), (Ins 307))
  • Sweetener (Ins 955)
  • Vitamins (Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6)
ConcernWorth watchingIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more.

ED2

Nutrition per 100 g
ENutritionDIngredients2Risk
VerdictPOOR
Energy14.6 kcal
Protein0 g
Carbohydrates3.6 g
Total sugars3.6 g
Added sugars3.6 g
Total fat0 g
Sodium60 mg
Calcium7 mg
Zinc2.5 mg
Vitamin B32.1 mg
Vitamin B60.3 mg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Our take

CleanPlate review

Light electrolyte drink with a little glucose and sucralose

Glucon-D Recharge Orange is water, glucose, a mineral mix (magnesium sulphate, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium lactate, zinc gluconate), nature-identical orange flavouring, an acid, a preservative, antioxidants, sucralose and vitamins B3, B5 and B6.

CleanPlate scores it ED2. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 ml. Added vitamins earn no credit in this product type. The D for ingredients reflects mostly refined or industrial ingredients (led by glucose), with additives that cost points: sucralose and flavouring. The 2 for risk is low: sodium, free sugar and saturated fat are all modest (sodium 60 mg, free sugar 3.6 g, saturated fat 0 g per 100 ml).

Claims vs reality

What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.

  • Retail listing

    “Powered with fast-absorbing glucose that helps provide instant energy and reduces tiredness”

    Holds

    Glucose is the second ingredient; 3.6 g per 100 ml gives about 18 g in a 500 ml bottle.

  • Product name

    “Hydration & Drink Mix”

    Partly true

    It carries sodium (60 mg), potassium and magnesium, though the amounts per 100 ml are modest.

  • Product name

    “Orange”

    Partly true

    The list has nature-identical orange flavouring and no orange juice; the pack front was not read, so no label penalty is applied.

How ED2 breaks down

Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.

How we score →
01 Nutritional valueA to E
E

Very low nutrient density

Protein
0 g
Fibre
Not declared
Vitamins and minerals
4 declared
Energy
15 kcal

Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

02 Ingredient & label integrityA to E
D

Heavily processed or flagged substances

Base
Water
Sweeteners
Glucose
Additives
4
Flagged
Potassium Sorbate

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Risk nutrients1 to 5
2

Low risk

Added sugar
3.6 g
Sodium
60 mg

Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.

A closer look

Does the label add up?

Water, glucose, minerals (magnesium sulphate, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium lactate, zinc gluconate), nature-identical flavouring substances (orange), acidity regulator (INS 330), preservative (INS 202), antioxidants (INS 300, 307), sweetener (INS 955) and vitamins (B3, B5, B6).

Per 100 ml: 14.6 kcal, 0 g fat, 3.6 g sugar of which 3.6 g added, 0 g protein, 60 mg sodium. The Nutrition Information text does not say per what; it is read as per 100 ml because 14.6 kcal and 3.6 g of glucose match a ready-to-drink 500 ml bottle (Atwater 14.4 kcal). Potassium 32 mg, chloride 80 mg, magnesium 21 mg and vitamin B5 0.8 mg are printed but not stored. Zinc is printed as 2.5 mg, which is large. The sweetener INS 955 is sucralose.

Ingredients to watch

  • Basis assumedWorth watching

    The listing does not state per 100 ml; the scores read it that way.

  • SucraloseWorth watching

    INS 955 costs 4 points.

  • Low sugar and energyFine

    3.6 g sugar and 14.6 kcal per 100 ml.

  • ElectrolytesFine

    60 mg sodium plus potassium, magnesium and zinc.

Common misconceptions

Myth: "Electrolyte drinks are for everyone"

They help after heavy sweating; on ordinary days water is enough.

Myth: "Glucose is a healthier sugar"

Glucose is still a sugar; 18 g in a 500 ml bottle counts as free sugar.

How often, and how

  • Healthy adultsOccasionally
  • ChildrenRarely
  • Diabetes or prediabetesLimit

Smarter ways to eat it

After long exercise

Use it after long exercise in heat, not as a daily drink.

Water otherwise

Sip water the rest of the time.

Common questions

Is Glucon-D Recharge Orange Hydration & Drink Mix healthy?

Glucon-D Recharge Orange Hydration & Drink Mix scores ED2 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: Contains Potassium Sorbate. On the plus side: Low sodium.

What does the ED2 score mean?

The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (D) grades ingredient and label integrity: heavily processed or flagged substances. The number (2) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): low risk.

Which ingredients in Glucon-D Recharge Orange Hydration & Drink Mix should I watch?

Preservative (Ins 202) (Potassium Sorbate).

Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.

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