McDonald's has inaugurated its novel restaurant model, CosMc's, in Bolingbrook, Illinois, as of December 7th. This new venture focuses on beverages, crafted to provide energizing treats for the afternoon. The menu at CosMc's leans more towards what you'd expect at Starbucks rather than traditional McDonald's offerings, featuring items like Slushes & Frappés, vibrant "Galactic Boosts," and coffee-based drinks.
Targeting new demographics and catering to the preferences of Gen Z, the CosMc's menu boasts unique choices such as a Chai Frappé Burst with popping boba, a Churro Frappé, and a Turmeric Spiced Latte. Moving away from the typical fast-food fare, there are no burgers or chicken nuggets. Instead, the food menu includes items like Egg McMuffins, cookies, and Mclarrys, all branded as part of the "McDonald's Universe."
The menu at CosMc's notably incorporates ingredients often linked with health benefits, such as turmeric and probiotics, aligning with the increasing consumer interest in functional beverages like kombucha and adaptogenic teas.
One of their offerings, the Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade, is marketed as a "tart lemonade mixed with a sweet berry probiotic blend, garnished with a dried lemon wheel, and served over ice."
This description suggests a beverage that is both beneficial for gut health and rich in fruit flavors. However, a detailed examination of its nutritional content reveals a different narrative.
CosMc's Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade contains 108 grams of sugar.
A large Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade at CosMc's contains an astonishing 500 calories and a staggering 108 grams of sugar. Lauren Manaker, RD, a member of our Medical Expert Board, highlights the American Heart Association's recommendation for daily sugar intake: no more than 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women.
Therefore, just one serving of CosMc's Sour-Ade exceeds the recommended sugar limit for a woman by more than four days.
Manaker emphasizes that high consumption of added sugars is associated with serious heart health risks and is counterproductive to weight management efforts. Other negative impacts of excessive sugar intake include elevated blood triglyceride levels, a higher risk of diabetes, and increased inflammation.
To provide perspective on the 108 grams of sugar in the Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade, consider these comparisons:
- It's equivalent to the sugar content in about 23 Oreo cookies, with each set of 3 cookies containing 14 grams of sugar.
- It equals roughly 5.7 servings of Breyer's Vanilla ice cream, where each 2/3 cup serving contains 19 grams of sugar.
- It's akin to consuming about 2.7 cans of Coca-Cola, with each 12-oz can having 39 grams of sugar.
- It's comparable to the sugar in approximately 2.4 bags of Skittles, with each pack containing 45 grams of sugar.
Is there any advantage to consuming probiotics in this drink?
CosMc's appears to be leveraging the increased consumer interest in the health benefits of specific ingredients. However, the effectiveness of these healthful components is questionable when they're combined with high sugar levels.
Manaker comments, "While there are health benefits to consuming foods with added probiotics, such as supporting gut health, it's crucial not to overlook the overall nutritional profile of these products."
The Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade at CosMc's uses "Kombucha Powder" that contains probiotics, specifically Bacillus Cagulans GBI-30, 6086. However, Manaker notes, "Probiotics can also be obtained from other sources like unsweetened kefir, fermented soy products, and fermented vegetables. These alternatives provide probiotic benefits without the detrimental effects of high sugar intake, such as spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels."
The Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade isn't the Sole Drink on CosMc's Menu Exceeding 100 Grams of Added Sugar
Several other items on the CosMc's menu also feature high levels of added sugar, comparable to or exceeding that of the Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade. Among the large-sized drinks with over 100 grams of added sugar are:
- Island Pick-Me-Up Punch: 103 grams of sugar
- Sour Tango Lemonade: 110 grams of sugar
- Tropical Spiceade: 110 grams of sugar
- Chai Frappe Burst: 107 grams of sugar
Options with Reduced Sugar on the Menu
Lauren Manaker recommends reserving drinks such as the Berry Hibiscus Sour-Ade for occasional indulgence rather than making them a daily habit. She advises that when trying out the new menu at CosMc's in Bolingbrook, it's a good idea to opt for their green or black teas, as these beverages contain no added sugars and offer natural plant compounds that contribute to various aspects of health.