The 29 Worst and Best Diet Soda Brands for Health

By Ghuman

Introduction

Diet soda has become a popular alternative to regular soda, as it contains fewer calories and less sugar. However, not all diet sodas are created equal. Some contain artificial sweeteners that can have negative health effects, while others are made with natural sweeteners that are healthier. In this article, we will look at the 29 worst and best diet soda brands for health. We will discuss the ingredients in each brand, the potential health risks associated with them, and the benefits of choosing healthier alternatives. We will also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices when it comes to diet soda.

The 29 Worst and Best Diet Soda Brands for Health

When it comes to diet soda, there are a lot of options out there. But which ones are the worst and best for your health? Here’s a look at the 29 worst and best diet soda brands for health.

The Worst Diet Soda Brands for Health

  • Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
  • Pepsi Max
  • Dr. Pepper Zero
  • Mountain Dew Zero
  • Sunkist Zero
  • A&W Diet Root Beer
  • 7UP Zero
  • Sprite Zero
  • Fanta Zero
  • Diet Rite
  • Tab
  • Diet Dr. Pepper
  • Diet Coke
  • Diet Pepsi
  • Diet Mountain Dew
  • Diet Sunkist
  • Diet A&W Root Beer
  • Diet 7UP
  • Diet Sprite
  • Diet Fanta
  • Diet RC Cola
  • Diet Canada Dry
  • Diet Squirt
  • Diet Mug Root Beer
  • Diet Sun Drop
  • Diet Cheerwine
  • Diet Vernors
  • Diet Orange Crush

The Best Diet Soda Brands for Health

  • Zevia Zero Calorie Soda
  • Reed’s Zero Sugar Ginger Beer
  • Bubly Sparkling Water
  • LaCroix Sparkling Water
  • Spindrift Sparkling Water
  • Perrier Sparkling Water
  • Hint Sparkling Water
  • Polar Seltzer
  • Topo Chico Mineral Water
  • Sparkling Ice

Though we’re conversant in the ailing results of synthetic sweeteners, one research went forward and make clear the scary hyperlink between zero-calorie synthetic sweeteners to diabetes and weight problems. And to make issues worse, one other research revealed that each day weight loss program soda drinkers develop about two-and-a-half extra inches of stomach fats every decade than those that do not drink the stuff.

“Diet drinks trigger insulin to be launched in your intestine as a result of their synthetic sweeteners are candy like sugar, and that truly prevents weight reduction,” Miriam Jacobson, RD, CDN, advised us. “Insulin is your physique’s main fat-storage hormone, so it should have the physique maintain onto any additional fats.”

Diet sodas additionally hurt the immune system as a result of their acidity causes havoc with our intestine micro organism. And the phosphoric acid that is current in lots of cans has been proven to leach calcium from our bones.

Whereas each weight loss program soda is unhealthy for you, some are clearly worse than others. We checked out varied manufacturers and carefully imagined the substances of widespread weight loss program sodas in America. Learn on to find the place your favourite cola landed—and uncover our No. 1 decide, which could change into your new go-to.

Soda glass
Shutterstock

First, we measured the quantity of synthetic sweetener in every soda, paying particular consideration to aspartame, probably the most pervasive sweetener. The low-calorie sugar different, made by becoming a member of two amino acids with an alcohol, is 180 instances sweeter than sugar—and the topic of controversy. Some researchers declare to have linked aspartame to mind tumors and lymphoma, however the FDA insists the sweetener is secure for people. We advocate you restrict your consumption. And given the general public’s curiosity in limiting their aspartame consumption, we gave demerits to weight loss program sodas with excessive aspartame counts.

Then, additionally docked factors for top ranges of substances you would not anticipate in your beverage—like vegetable oils and tree bark—and gave excessive marks to manufacturers with extra pure blends.

And now, with out additional ado listed here are widespread weight loss program sodas ranked from the worst choices to the one which is not all that unhealthy. And when you’re uncovering the reality about sodas, remember to take a look at 108 Most In style Sodas Ranked By How Poisonous They Are.

diet mountain dew

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 50 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Concentrated Orange Juice, Citric Acid, Pure Taste, Potassium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Citrus Pectin, Aspartame, Potassium Citrate, Caffeine, Sodium Citrate, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Gum Arabic, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Calcium Disodium EDTA, Yellow 5

Beforehand, this soda with the lime-green hue used to comprise brominated vegetable oil, which has bromine (one thing that was additionally stated to be present in brominated flame retardants). In citrus-flavored soda drinks, BVO acts as an emulsifier, nevertheless it has since been faraway from the Diet Dew’s record of substances. Nonetheless, there are many the explanation why this weight loss program soda continues to be one to keep away from!

fresca grapefruit

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 35 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Concentrated Grapefruit Juice, Potassium Citrate, Aspartame, Potassium Sorbate, Acacia Gum, Acesulfame Potassium, Pure Flavors, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Potassium Benzoate and Calcium Disodium EDTA, Carob Bean Gum

After an extended day of exhausting work and play, do you want to sit down again and chill out and crack open a can of Glycerol Ester of Rosin? Did not suppose so! The wooden resin is added to many fruit sodas to assist the fruit-flavored oils combine higher with the water. Whereas it is not essentially dangerous, allow us to repeat: you are consuming oil and water…

coca cola life

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 90 energy, 35 mg sodium, 24 g carbs (24 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Colour, Pure Flavors, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Caffeine, Stevia Leaf Extract

In the event you suppose you are doing your self a favor by choosing Coca-Cola’s sugar- and stevia-sweetened beverage over the normal purple can, you would possibly need to take a more in-depth have a look at the diet label. Its pure packaging is there to distract you from the chilly, exhausting info: A 12-ounce can of the stuff incorporates 24 grams of sugar, which is very troubling on condition that The American Coronary heart Affiliation recommends males ought to devour not more than 36 grams of added sugar per day, and girls should not have greater than 25 grams. The World Well being Group even recommends we cut back our each day sugar consumption to about 25 grams a day to most successfully push back weight problems, coronary heart illness, most cancers, and diabetes. The truth is, the inexperienced can packs in as a lot sugar as you will get from consuming 5 Oreo cookies.

pepsi true

Vitamin (10 fl oz can): 80 energy, 30 mg sodium, 22 g carbs (22 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Pure Taste, Caffeine, Purified Stevia Leaf Extract

Pepsi’s reply to Coca-Cola Life—additionally made with pure sugar and Stevia Leaf extract—says it is “all of the enjoyable you like about Pepsi with 30% much less sugar than common Pepsi.” Keep “true” to your self and as an alternative fulfill your craving with certainly one of greatest proteins for weight reduction!

dr pepper 10

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 10 energy, 60 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (2 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Excessive Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Caffeine, Pure and Synthetic Flavors, Acesulfame Potassium, Sodium Phosphate

Solely the soda corporations may mix two evils—excessive fructose corn syrup and synthetic sweeteners—and promote it as a more healthy selection. The Ten line does simply that. “Each Ten and a zero-calorie model are unhealthy,” Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, tells us, “however for the sake of fewer unhealthy substances, the zero-calorie is healthier.” Dr. Pepper Ten could have simply 10 energy per serving, nevertheless it additionally incorporates sneaky substances reminiscent of aspartame and caramel shade. To simply burn off any of those sodas—with out spending hours within the health club—do not miss this record of the important greatest methods to hurry up your metabolism.

pepsi zero sugar

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 40 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Aspartame, Potassium Benzoate (preserves freshness), Caffeine, Pure Taste, Acesulfame Potassium, Citric Acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Is your native retailer bought out of Coke Zero Sugar? Do this wannabe, which provides additional caffeine from ginseng to idiot of us into considering that is an all-natural power drink.

mello yello zero

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 50 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate, EDTA, Acacia, Potassium Citrate, Acesulfame Potassium, Caffeine, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Pure Flavors, Coconut Oil, Yellow #3.

You recognize if you add some Mentos to a two-liter Diet Coke and the entire thing explodes? (Do not attempt that at residence.) That is because of the Gum Acacia within the sweet, a pure emulsifier, which can also be on this soda.

fanta

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 35 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Aspartame, Pure Flavors, Potassium Benzoate, Modified Meals Starch, Acesulfame Potassium, Yellow 6, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Coconut Oil, Purple 40.

Similar to its full-calorie cousin, Fanta Zero is an unsavory mix of oils and synthetic colours. Skip!

sunkist orange

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 110 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Aspartame, Malic Acid, Modified Meals Starch, Pure Flavors, Caffeine, Ester Gum, Acesulfame Potassium, Yellow 6, Purple 40

What do you get if you mix carbonated water with aspartame and a bunch of hard-to-pronounce chemical compounds? This citrus-inspired sip. It will get its alluring orange shade from Yellow 6 and Purple 40. A Journal of Pediatrics research linked Yellow 5 to hyperactivity in youngsters and Canadian researchers discovered Purple 40 to be contaminated with identified carcinogens.

pibb zero

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 40 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Aspartame, Potassium Sorbate and Potassium Benzoate, Synthetic and Pure Flavors, Acesulfame Potassium, Caffeine, Monosodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Polyethylene Glycol

A “spicy” cherry soda discovered largely within the South, Pibb Zero incorporates propylene glycol, a preservative, thickening agent, and stabilizer, additionally used as antifreeze to de-ice airplanes, as a plasticizer to make polyester resins, and located in digital cigarettes. In different phrases, it is a dietary zero.

diet barqs
Courtesy of Barq’s

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 50 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate, Aspartame, Citric Acid, Acesulfame Potassium, Synthetic and Pure Flavors, Acacia, Potassium Chloride

As with aspartame, we advocate you restrict Acesulfame Potassium, a zero-calorie sweetener that usually seems with sucralose or aspartame to create a taste nearer to sugar (it is 200 instances sweeter). Though the FDA doesn’t acknowledge it as a carcinogen, some specialists disagree; the sweetener has been discovered to trigger antagonistic results in mice’s intestine microbiome. It is used right here to sweeten the basis beer, however you will additionally discover it in Diet Pepsi, Fresca, and Coke Zero Sugar. For decadent fat-burners with out the guilt, do not miss this record of the most effective wholesome carbs to eat for weight reduction!

diet mug root beer

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 90 energy, 65 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Sodium Benzoate, Aspartame, Citric Acid, Pure and Synthetic Taste, Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Shield Taste), Quillaia Extract

The ingredient to fret about right here shouldn’t be the odd-sounding Quillaia tree bark, however somewhat the caramel shade and aspartame.

dr pepper cherry

Vitamin (20 fl oz): 0 energy, 100 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Pure and Synthetic Flavors, Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Caffeine, Malic Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Purple 40

The cherry model of Diet Dr. Pepper is worse than the unique due to the unreal shade Purple 40, which Canadian researchers discovered to be contaminated with identified carcinogens.

dr pepper cherry vanilla

Vitamin (20 fl oz): 0 energy, 60 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Pure and Synthetic Flavors, Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Caffeine, Malic Acid, Purple 40

Like old-fashioned Cherry, the Vanilla additionally has Purple 40—and no precise vanilla.

dr browns black cherry
Courtesy of Goal

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 55 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Cherry and Different Pure Flavors, Citric Acid, Aspartame, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Caramel Colour and Synthetic Colour (Purple 40)

Do not belief a “physician” who prescribes caramel shade and Purple 40. Go away this drink out of your fridge for the sake of higher well being.

diet dr pepper

Vitamin (20 fl oz): 0 energy, 100 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Synthetic and Pure Flavors, Sodium Benzoate, Caffeine.

We all know it is possible your favourite responsible pleasure, however preserve this Physician away and as an alternative do not miss these methods to lose stomach fats!

diet mug

12 fl oz: 0 energy, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 65 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Pure and Synthetic Taste, Sodium Benzoate (preserves freshness), Aspartame, Citric Acid, Caramel Colour, Yucca Mohave Extract, Calcium Disodium EDTA

Don’t be concerned an excessive amount of concerning the Yucca Mohave Extract—it simply makes your artificially-sweetened carbonated water foamy. As a substitute, marvel: The place’s the cream?

coca cola zero sugar

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 40 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Aspartame, Potassium Benzoate, Pure Flavors, Potassium Citrate, Acesulfame Potassium, Caffeine

Coca-Cola rebranded Coke Zero as Coke Zero Sugar again in summer time 2017. Like Coke Zero, Coke Zero Sugar is sweetened with a mixture of aspartame and Ace-Ok. The one distinction? The soda large tweaked its mix of proprietary pure flavors. Do not let the truth that this weight loss program drink tastes like actual Coke idiot you! Factor is, it may make you achieve weight like the true factor, too.

“Regardless that weight loss program drinks are calorie-free, they trigger insulin to be launched in your intestine as a result of their synthetic sweeteners are candy like sugar, and that truly prevents weight reduction,” says Jacobson. “Insulin is your physique’s main fat-storage hormone, so it should have the physique maintain on to any additional fats,” she explains, including that, “Making an attempt to shed weight by buying and selling a Coke for that is doing the physique simply as a lot hurt, if no more, due to all of the chemical compounds within the calorie-free model.”

diet coke ginger lime

12 fl oz: 0 energy, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 35 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Much less Than 0.5% of: Pure Flavors, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Citrate, Caffeine

Diet Coke determined to vary issues up in 2018 with the introduction of 4 calorie-free flavors: Feisty Cherry and Ginger Lime, a daring change made to modernize the model. Whereas the flavors sound nothing however enjoyable and fruity, their ingredient lists are stuffed with components. You are higher off sipping on certainly one of these wholesome soda options that may make it simple to stop soda.

diet coke original

 

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 40 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Pure Flavors, Citric Acid, Caffeine

The perfect-selling weight loss program soda on this planet nonetheless has a somewhat lackluster ingredient record, irrespective of the way you spin it.

diet coke splenda

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 50 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Sucralose, Caffeine, Acefulsame Potassium, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid

After reviewing greater than 110 animal and human research, the FDA determined in 1999 to approve sucralose, aka Splenda, to be used in all meals. Sucralose opponents argue that the quantity of human analysis is insufficient, however even teams just like the Middle for Science within the Public Curiosity have deemed it secure. Too unhealthy this one’s a bit exhausting to seek out.

diet pepsi

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 35 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Caffeine, Citric Acid, Pure Taste, Acesulfame Potassium

Pepsi axed aspartame in its method again in 2015, changing it with Ace-Ok and sucralose. However when former followers demanded the return of the unique recipe, the model acquiesced and injected the sweetener again into the cans.

caffeine free diet coke

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 40 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Pure Flavors, Citric Acid

Though we’re not towards caffeine—it is confirmed to spice up metabolism and support weight reduction—extreme caffeine messes along with your sleep schedule and suppresses features of key immune brokers. And inadequate sleep opens the door to colds, higher respiratory infections and different ills. So when you’re in your third can of DC for the day, change to this, when you should.

caffeine free diet pepsi

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 35 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Citric Acid, Pure Taste, Acesulfame Potassium, Potassium

As we have stated, we’re into caffeine, so long as you do not overdo it. However why drink a can of chemical compounds when you’re not even benefiting from the thrill?

7 up zero sugar

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 45 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Filtered Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Benzoate (Preservative), Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, Pure Flavors, Calcium Disodium EDTA

What separates this from all the remainder? No synthetic coloring. But it is nonetheless crammed with synthetic sweetener. Most of the unhealthiest meals on the planet comprise this metabolism-disrupting ingredient!

sprite zero sugar
Courtesy of Sprite

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 35 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Pure Flavors, Potassium Benzoate, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium

As with the Diet 7Up, the Sprite Zero has no synthetic colours. However why accept synthetic flavors?

zevia ginger beer
Courtesy of Zevia

Vitamin (12 fl oz can): 0 energy, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components: Carbonated Water, Stevia Leaf Extract, Pure Flavors, Citric Acid

This small firm, based by soda-loving dad and mom who wished one thing more healthy for his or her youngsters, distributes quite a lot of traditional flavors from cola to ginger ale to grape with out utilizing synthetic sweeteners or synthetic colours. As a substitute, they’re sweetened with stevia.

“Not like different sweeteners—particularly synthetic sweeteners—they aren’t 1000’s of instances sweeter than sugar, so they could trigger much less metabolic confusion by way of sweetness as in comparison with caloric supply, though extra analysis nonetheless wanted,” Smith tells us. Brilliantly, this root beer tastes like the true factor—and is evident, as a result of there is no caramel shade.

hint

16 fl oz: 0 energy, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Vitamin (16 fl oz): 0 energy, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Components (Black Raspberry): Purified Water, Black Raspberry, Different Pure Flavors from non-GMO Vegetation and Pure Caffeine from Espresso Beans

OK, we’re completely dishonest right here. Trace Water is not carbonated, cola-flavored, or bought in 64-ounce Large Gulps. However these flavored bottled waters do have 60 milligrams of caffeine derived from espresso beans. That is greater than you will discover in Diet Dr. Pepper (41 milligrams), Diet Coke (47 milligrams), and even Mountain Dew (54 milligrams). So that you get the entire pop, with not one of the energy—and every taste is sweetened not with aspartame, however with fruit juice or spice. Attempt the Black Raspberry (and do not overdo it, since caffeine can dehydrate you), and you will by no means return to Diet Coke once more.

bai bubbles

Vitamin (12 fl oz can, Bolivia Black Cherry): 5 energy, 10 mg sodium, 9 g carbs (1 g sugar, 7 g erythritol)

Components: Filtered Carbonated Water, Bai Proprietary Sweetener Mix (Erythritol, Stevia Extract), Pure Flavors, Cherry Juice Focus, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (for shade), Coffeefruit Extract, White Tea Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate.

Based by espresso guru Ben Weiss in his Princeton basement, Bai5 is a line of all-natural fruity drinks with unique flavors like Guatemala Guava, Jamaica Blood Orange, and Bolivia Black Cherry. They’re sweetened with fruit juice, erythritol, and stevia (not aspartame) and powered by 45 milligrams of caffeine, because of the tea and coffeefruit. This one weight loss program soda you’ll be able to sip on and never be as anxious!