The Hidden Dangers of 'Natural Flavors': What You Need to Know

Natural flavors are in everything — from sparkling water and protein bars to electrolyte powders and sauces. But how “natural” are they, really? Spoiler: not very.

In fact, natural flavors are one of the most mysterious and unregulated ingredients in the food industry. Here's what you need to know.

What Are Natural Flavors?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a natural flavor is:

“...a substance extracted, distilled, or similarly derived from plant or animal matter — including fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, and more — whose primary function is to flavor food, not to add nutritional value.”

This might sound okay — until you realize that this definition doesn’t restrict how much the substance is processed or modified after extraction.

In fact, Time Magazine explains:

“Once the initial natural source is obtained, flavorists can use more than 100 different chemicals to process it, and still legally call it a 'natural flavor.’”

Natural Flavors Are Not Transparent

The biggest issue? You have no idea what’s actually in them. The exact makeup of natural flavors is considered a trade secret, so food companies aren’t required to tell you what chemicals are used — or how they’re made.

According to LiveWholier:

“Natural flavors can contain solvents, preservatives, and other additives. And none of these ingredients need to be listed on the label.”

That means someone could have a sensitivity or allergy — and never know what triggered it.

Health Concerns Around Natural Flavors

Even though they’re generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, several concerns have been raised:

• Digestive distress: Additives like propylene glycol or solvents can irritate sensitive guts.

• Allergic reactions: As Healthline notes, natural flavors “may contain compounds from common allergens like milk, eggs, or soy.”

• Overconsumption: Natural flavors are designed by food scientists to trigger cravings, meaning they can make you eat or drink more than your body actually needs.

And here’s the kicker — these flavor formulas are often developed by the same firms that create fragrance chemicals and industrial solvents.

Who Approves These Ingredients? The Industry Itself.

You’d think an agency like the FDA would tightly regulate food flavorings — but in reality, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) — an industry-funded group — is responsible for most of the safety assessments of flavor ingredients.

As The Center for Science in the Public Interest revealed:

“FEMA allows companies to self-affirm that an ingredient is GRAS, without notifying the FDA, conducting independent research, or making data publicly available.”

In short, it’s a self-regulated system with little accountability.

Natural vs. Artificial Flavors: Which Is Worse?

It might surprise you to hear that artificial flavors are often more tightly defined and consistent than natural ones.

Food Insight explains:

“In many cases, artificial flavors may contain fewer chemicals than natural ones — and both are created in the same laboratories by the same flavorists.”

So when you see “natural flavor,” don’t assume it’s the healthier option. It just sounds better.

Final Thoughts: Why Heat Hydration Stays Transparent

At Heat Hydration, we believe you deserve to know what you're putting in your body.

That’s why we use real ingredients, not vague chemical blends hidden behind a “natural” label. You’ll always know exactly what’s in every scoop — and why it’s there.

Next time you see "natural flavors" on a label, think twice. It might have started with a blueberry… but it probably doesn’t belong in your body anymore.