Innocent Tropical defence review – “Smooth, thick, and creamy”- (7.75/10).
The Good
“Colourful bottle design”.
“Refreshing smell”.
“Fruity taste, suggesting banana”.
“Developing acidity”.
“Nicely session-able”.
“Flavour fruity and natural throughout”.
“Pleasant tangy aftertaste”.
“Thick mouthfeel”.
“Full flavour throughout”.
“Smooth and creamy texture”.
The Bad
“Brand message a little unclear”.
“Way too expensive”.
“Weak smell”.
“Sweetness a little lacking”.
“Balance insufficient for fruit and sweetness”.
“Harshness towards end of taste”.
Introduction
Innocent Tropical Defence contains 57 calories per 100ml. This is more than Energise (at 52 per 100ml), (Strawberries & Bananas) at 51, and Berry light (36).
Cost here was £2.30 for the 300ml bottle. This equates to 77p per 100ml which is the same as Berry protein, but more than Berry light and Energise which both cost (67p per 100ml).
Whilst the bottle packaging had a good variety of colours, brand message appeared a little confusing. This was because the “Tropical”defence title suggests higher temperatures year round, referring to countries warmer than where I live in the U.K.. In “defending” such places, I feel that relates to protecting them.
However …
After a while, brand message became quite clear from reading the blurb and is supported by the assertion on the front of the bottle that it “supports your immunity”. This is that it contains “Millions of cultures”. Gut microorganisms such as these, assist immune system regulation to help prevent autoimmune disorders.
Now for nutrition …
Description below = number of fruit for one of your 5 a day.
Please note though that the NHS suggests smoothies shouldn’t contribute more than one of your 5 a day, so you can only count one of the fruits below. It’s also noteworthy that the juice extraction process can reduce nutrients, compared to whole fruit consumption.
The 3 most abundant fruits here are Apple, Banana, and Mango.
Every 300ml bottle contains 1+1/2 apples, 1/2 mashed banana and 1/3 crushed mango.
According to NHS, 5-a-day portion sizes are, 1 apple, 1 banana, and 80 grams mango. This means Apple alone would equate to 1 of your 5 a day at 300ml, without both mango and banana, which both don’t meet recommended NHS portion sizes for 1 of your 5 a day.
This means the smoothie contains at least 1 of your 5 a day, as asserted by the packaging.
1 Apple
Apple is low in vitamins and minerals, but compensates with it’s high antioxidant and fibre content, which slows sugar absorption, increases feelings of fullness, and improves digestion. The antioxidants are also beneficial for blood sugar control and heart health.
2 Banana
Banana contains far more potassium than apple and pear, which is needed for muscle contraction and controlling the amount of water inside your body building blocks or “cells”. Banana is also high in vitamin C, which helps your body produce connective tissues, with almost double the amount found in Apple.
3 Mango
Mango is very rich in vitamin C with over 4 times that of banana per same weight, and it also contains a considerable quantity of vitamin A.
As previously mentioned vitamin C, helps your body produce connective tissues. Vitamin A helps the health of your skin and eyes, aswell as reproductive and immune systems.
4 Other nutrients
It contains Vitamin E (42% Reference intake), C (40%) and B6 (36%) per 100ml.
Since this is a 300ml bottle, all the above times 3 meet 100% of the Daily Reference intake.
Smell
The smell was rather weak, but also came across as very refreshingly fragrant. This stayed fresh on subsequent breaths, but didn’t gain any strength.
Taste
The taste began very fruity, with a clear sense of banana coming through. This I felt, masked the sweetness until tartness emerged. Consequently, sweetness appeared lacking, along with fruitiness towards the end of the bottle. Flavour did however remain fruity and natural throughout.
Acidity became stronger throughout, but in early sips didn’t dominate. I didn’t feel the balance was sufficient however, to prevent acidity coming across too strongly, particularly towards the end of the taste.
Despite the full flavour throughout, the drink didn’t become overpowering, staying consistent throughout consumption. This suggests it would be consumable as part of a session.
The aftertaste was a bit more acidic than the main body of the flavour, and
mouthfeel was certainly thick, carrying taste well.
The creamy texture certainly helped convey the flavour in a smooth and consistent way. Towards the end of the taste however, the acidity made the smoothness seem a bit harsh.
Summary
“Smooth, thick and creamy”.
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Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3337124/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day-portion-sizes/
Tags: Innocent, smoothie, super, Tropical, defence, Apple, Mango, Banana, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, blogging, health, lifestyle, reaseaorg,
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