Is Crystal Light Green Tea Good For You?

Green tea has long been touted as one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. It’s packed with antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, which are all important for your health. And, it’s been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved blood sugar levels and reduced risk of certain types of cancer.

But what about Crystal Light green tea? Is it as good for you as regular green tea? The answer is yes and no. On one hand, Crystal Light green tea contains fewer antioxidants than regular green tea, making it less healthy. On the other hand, it still contains some of the beneficial compounds found in regular green tea and may offer some health benefits.

What is Crystal Light Green Tea?

Crystal Light green tea is a sweetened, powdered drink mix made with green tea extract and other ingredients. It is usually mixed with water to create a flavored beverage. While it's marketed as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, it's important to note that it is not the same as regular green tea.

Regular green tea is a brewed beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It contains antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, which are all important for your health.

Nutrition Facts

Crystal Light green tea contains significantly fewer antioxidants than regular green tea. One 8-ounce (240-ml) glass of prepared Crystal Light green tea contains only 10 mg of antioxidants, while the same amount of brewed green tea contains between 150 and 200 mg (1, 2).

Crystal Light green tea is also low in calories, containing only 5 calories per 8-ounce (240-ml) glass. It also contains some sodium and potassium, as well as a small amount of carbohydrates.

Potential Health Benefits

Despite containing fewer antioxidants than regular green tea, Crystal Light green tea still contains some of the beneficial compounds found in regular green tea.

One study in mice found that a combination of green tea extract and other plant-based extracts, including ginger, peppermint and licorice, decreased body weight and improved blood sugar control (3).

What’s more, a review of studies found that drinking green tea was associated with a decreased risk of certain types of cancer, including liver, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer (4).

That said, further research is needed to determine whether the compounds in Crystal Light green tea offer any of the same health benefits as regular green tea.

The Bottom Line

Crystal Light green tea is a lower-calorie alternative to sugary drinks. It contains fewer antioxidants than regular green tea, but it still contains some of the beneficial compounds found in regular green tea.

Though more research is needed to determine its potential health benefits, drinking Crystal Light green tea may offer some health benefits. Ultimately, though, it’s important to remember that regular green tea is a healthier choice than Crystal Light green tea.