He has vowed to crack down on additives and colorings, describing America’s food and drink supply as ‘poison.’
But that didn’t stop Robert F Kennedy Jr from enjoying an ultra-processed energy drink that contains potentially toxic chemicals during a recent workout.
The former presidential candidate was seen clutching a bottle of C4 Energy drink at Gold’s Gym on Venice Beach this week while posing for a photo with a former jiu-jitsu world champion.
The highly synthetic drink has 17 ingredients, including several preservatives that have been linked to major health conditions, including cancer.
Advertised as providing ‘explosive energy’ and ‘superhuman performance,’ the drink is said to boost energy and focus and should be consumed 30 minutes before ‘dominating exercise… and life.’
However, the company adds on its website: ‘These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.’
Kennedy, 72, said in 2023 he followed an intermittent fasting diet, only eating between noon and 7 pm – and when he does eat, his diet is heavy in healthy foods, including fish.
He has said he never eats ultra-processed foods.
The label of the drink in RFK Jr’s hand is partially obscured, but it closely resembles a bottle of a performance beverage made by the company Cellucor
But he is not above enjoying the odd cheat meal. He was pictured after the election indulging in a large McDonald’s meal and soda with the newly elected president.
Now, in a photo posted this week by jiu-jitsu world champion Jean Jacques Machado, RFK Jr is seen posing with a drink in his left hand.
The caption reads: ‘Let’s taking care of our health, it’s not how long we live is how well we live, whatever side you are good for you but regardless the side let’s be healthy.’
While the label is partially obscured, it closely resembles a bottle of C4 Energy Non Carbonated, a performance beverage made by the Texas-based company Cellucor.
Some viewers were quick to point out the irony that the health and anti-food additives advocate was captured holding a drink that contains several harmful chemicals.
One wrote: ‘Health while drinking a C4 [laughing emoji]’
And Dr Stuart Fischer, a physician in New York, told DailyMail.com it was a bit hypocritical of RFK Jr if he was actually drinking the C4 beverage.
Based on the color on the bottle RFK Jr is holding, it appears to be the watermelon flavor.
The beverage contains 200mg of caffeine, a little more than double the amount in two cups of coffee, and is available in a variety of sweet flavors.
The first concerning ingredient in the drink is sodium benzoate, a preservative.
While the FDA has deemed the ingredient as ‘Generally Regarded As Safe’ (GRAS) in foods at levels up to 0.1 percent, studies have shown it can generate free radicals – unstable molecules in the body – which damage DNA and contribute to inflammation.
It’s also been linked to an increase in oxidative stress and a negative effect on immune system, liver, kidneys and fertility.
And when combined with citric acid – another preservative listed on C4’s label – it can form the carcinogen benzene, which damages DNA and raises the risk of cancer.
It has also been linked to ADHD in children who consume large amounts. Animal studies have shown it can also cause hormone disruption.
Scientists have stated further research is needed to determine what level of sodium benzoate is safe.
RFK Jr has said America’s food is full of ‘poisons’
While RFK Jr’s views on vaccines are widely criticized, his proposed changes to America’s food supply are supported by a majority of both Democrats and Republicans.
About 70 percent of both groups ‘strongly or somewhat favor’ restricting or reformulating processed foods to remove ingredients like added sugars and dyes.
During his term, the Trump administration will be tasked with writing the newest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide nutrition recommendations for Americans every five years.
RFK Jr, who is expected to be confirmed as the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will oversee the FDA, which regulates food ingredients and additives.
The bottle in RFK Jr’s hand (left) looks like the drink C4 Energy Non Carbonated (right). The drink has 16 ingredients in it, including several harmful ones
RFK Jr has said he wants to crack down on food dyes but it isn’t clear which additives could be under his microscope as the FDA has deemed many GRAS, despite evidence to the contrary.
One of those GRAS additives is phosphoric acid, listed on C4’s ingredients label.
This additive is used to adjust the acidity of foods and drinks and provide a sour or tangy taste in foods and beverages.
It is made from a mineral naturally found in many foods and is meant to help muscles recover after a workout.
The FDA has deemed the substance as GRAS and the body needs some phosphoric acid.
However, too much can cause health issues, and intake in the US usually exceeds requirements.
Animal and human studies linked excessive intake to an increased risk of reduced bone mass, osteoporosis and heart disease
In 2022, RFK Jr posted about a study that showed ‘a link between artificial sweeteners and cancer, even after controlling for factors known to contribute to cancer, including age, weight gain, physical activity and family history of cancer.’
The artificial sweetener sucralose is another ingredient in C4.
RFK Jr hasn’t mentioned sucralose specifically, but has said added sugars, specifically high fructose corn syrup, are partly to blame for America’s epidemic of chronic disease.
Sucralose, which is approximately 600 times sweeter than regular sugar is used as sugar substitute, most-widely sold as Splenda.
One of the ingredients listed in the drink is sodium benzoate, which studies have linked to inflammation and liver damage
RFK Jr’s proposed changes to America’s food supply are supported by a majority of both Democrats and Republicans
The FDA says the sweetener is GRAS, but studies have shown mixed results.
One study showed sucralose had no effect on blood sugar while another showed reduced insulin sensitivity and increased blood sugar and insulin.
An animal study showed four months of low-dose sucralose intake disrupted the balance of the gut microbiome and increased inflammation.
Experts say more more research is needed.
Artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium is also used in the drink. It is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Similarly, the substance has been linked to an altered gut microbiome.
A study in mice linked the sweetener to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic inflammation.
Preservative potassium sorbate is also on the ingredients list. Various research has shown this additive is associated with gene and DNA damage and may contribute to chronic disease.
DailyMail.com has reached out to RFK Jr’s team and Cellucor for comment.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
