He has sworn to limit additives and colorings and to describe the range of America as 'GIF'.
But that did not stop Robert F Kennedy JR from enjoying an ultra-processed energy drink that contains potentially toxic chemicals during a recent training.
This week, the former presidential candidate saw a bottle of C4-Energiedrank in Gold's Gym on Gold on Venice Beach while posing for a photo with a former Jiu-Jitsu world champion.
The very synthetic drink has 17 ingredients, including various preservatives that are linked to important health problems, including cancer.
Advertised as the provision of 'explosive energy' and 'superhuman performance', it is said that the drink stimulates the energy and focus and must be consumed 30 minutes for 'dominating exercise … and life'.
However, the company adds to its website: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.”
Kennedy, 72, said in 2023 that he followed an intermittent fasting diet, only eating at noon and 7 pm – and when he eats, his diet is heavy in healthy food, including fish.
He said he never eats ultra-processed food.
The label of the drink in the hand of RFK JR has been partially darkened, but it looks strongly like a bottle of a performance drink made by the Company Cellucor
But he is not enjoying the strange cheat meal. He was depicted after the elections that surrender to a large meal from McDonald's and soft drinks with the newly elected president.
Now, on a photo posted this week by Jiu-Jitsu world champion Jean Jacques Machado, RFK JR is seen with a drink in his left hand.
The caption reads: “Let's take care of our health, it's not how long we live is how good we live, which way you are good for you, but regardless of the side, we let it be healthy.”
Although the label is partially obscured, it looks strongly like a bottle of non-cabbage acid-containing C4 energy, a performance drink made by the Texas-based company cellucor.
Some viewers quickly pointed out that the irony that the health and anti-food additives lawyer was recorded with a drink with various harmful chemicals.
Men wrote: 'Health while drinking a C4 [laughing emoji]'
And Dr. Stuart Fischer, a doctor in New York, told Dailymail.com that it was a bit hypocritical of RFK JR if he actually drank the C4 drink.
Based on the color on the bottle that RFK JR holds, it seems to be the watermelon flavor.
The drink contains 200 mg of caffeine, slightly more than double the quantity in two cups of coffee, and is available in different sweet flavors.
The first ingredient in the drink is Sodiumbenzoate, a preservative.
Although the FDA has considered the ingredient as 'generally considered safe' in foods at levels up to 0.1 percent, studies have shown that free radicals can generate – unstable molecules in the body – which damage DNA and contribute to inflammation .
It is also linked to an increase in oxidative stress and a negative effect on the immune system, liver, kidneys and fertility.
And in combination with citric acid – another preservative stated on the C4 label – it can form the carcinogenic benene, which damages DNA and increases the risk of cancer.
It is also linked to ADHD in children who consume large quantities. Animal studies have shown that it can also cause hormone disruption.
Scientists have stated that further research is needed to determine which level of sodium benzoate is safe.
RFK JR said that the food of America is full of 'poisons'
Although the views of RFK JR are broadly criticized over vaccines, his proposed changes in the food supply of America are supported by a majority of both Democrats and Republicans.
About 70 percent of both groups 'strong or somewhat favorable' that limits or reformulates processed foods to remove ingredients such as added sugars and dyes.
During its term, the Trump administration will be given the task of writing the latest version of the food guidelines for Americans, who offer food 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 supervise the FDA, which regulates food ingredients and additives.
The bottle in RFK JR's hand (left) looks like the drink C4 energy does not -cabbage acid -containing (right). The drink has 16 ingredients in it, including various harmful ones
RFK JR said that he wants to destroy colorants, but it is not clear which additives can be under his microscope because the FDA has considered a lot of grass, despite the proof of the opposite.
One of those grass additives is phosphoric acid, stated on the ingredient label of C4.
This additive is used to adjust the acidity of foods and drinks and to offer a sour or spicy taste in foods and drinks.
It is made of a mineral that is of course found in many foods and is intended to help repair muscles after training.
The FDA has considered the substance as grass and the body needs some phosphoric acid.
However, too much can cause health problems and the intake in the US usually exceeds the requirements.
Animal and human studies have linked excessive intake to an increased risk of reduced bone mass, osteoporosis and heart disease
In 2022, RFK JR placed a study that 'demonstrated a connection between artificial sweeteners and cancer, even after control for factors that are known to contribute to cancer, including age, weight gain, physical activity and family history of cancer'.
The artificial sweetener sucralosis is another ingredient in C4.
RFK JR has not specifically mentioned Sucralose, but has said that added sugars, in particular high fructose syrup, are the fault of the American epidemic of chronic diseases.
Sucralose, which is about 600 times sweeter than regular sugar is used as a sugar replacement, the most widely sold as Splenda.
One of the ingredients mentioned in the drink is Sodium Benzoate, who have linked studies to inflammation and liver damage
RFK JR's proposed changes to the food supply of America are supported by a majority of both Democrats and Republicans
The FDA says that the sweetener is grass, but studies have shown mixed results.
One study showed that Sucralose had no effect on blood sugar, while another reduced insulin sensitivity and increased blood sugar and insulin showed.
An animal study showed that four months low dose of Sucralose intake disturbed the balance of the intestinal microbioma and the increased inflammation.
Experts say that more research is needed.
Artificial sweetener acesulfame kotalium is also used in the drink. It is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Similarly, the fabric is linked to a changed intestinal microbiome.
A study in mice connected the sweetener to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic inflammation.
Preservative potassium sorbaat is also on the ingredient list. Various research has shown that this additive is associated with gene and DNA damage and can contribute to chronic diseases.
Dailymail.com has contacted the RFK JR and Cellucor team for comment.
