Does Boost Juice Have More Sugar Than Coke? A Surprising Sugar Showdown

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study cited by nutrition experts, some Boost Juice smoothies can contain up to 22 teaspoons of sugar, potentially dwarfing the sugar load of a standard can of Coca-Cola. This astonishing fact challenges the common perception that fruit juice is always the healthier option and prompts the question: Does Boost Juice have more sugar than Coke?

Quick Summary

A direct comparison of sugar levels reveals many Boost Juice products have surprisingly high sugar content, often surpassing that of an equivalent serving of Coca-Cola. Despite containing natural fruit sugars and vitamins, the concentration of liquid fructose in juice can be substantial and affect your health in similar ways to soda.

Key Points

Hidden Sugars: Many popular Boost Juice smoothies contain more sugar per serving than a can of Coke, despite being perceived as healthier,.
Health Halo Effect: Consumers often underestimate the sugar content in fruit juices due to the misleading perception that 'fruit' automatically means healthy.
Natural vs. Added Sugar: Both natural fruit sugar (fructose) in juice and added sugars in Coke are processed similarly by the body when consumed as a liquid, leading to blood sugar spikes.
Loss of Fibre: The juicing process removes fibre, which otherwise slows down sugar absorption and promotes fullness when eating whole fruit.
Nutritional Trade-offs: While Boost Juice may contain some vitamins and antioxidants, the high sugar content can outweigh these benefits, unlike whole fruit.
The Serving Size Factor: The large serving sizes of commercial smoothies often contain an exorbitant amount of sugar in a single drink, far exceeding daily recommendations.

Unpacking the "Health Halo" Effect

For years, fruit juices and smoothies have enjoyed a perceived 'health halo'—an assumption that because they contain fruit, they are inherently healthy. This marketing mystique often overshadows a critical piece of nutritional information: the sugar content. While a boost of vitamins is certainly present, the sugar load can be immense, leading to potential health issues when consumed in excess, regardless of its origin. When fruit is juiced, the natural fibre is mostly removed, leaving a concentrated dose of fast-absorbing sugars, primarily fructose. This is where the comparison to a soft drink like Coke becomes eye-opening.

The Sugar Breakdown: Coke vs. Boost

To understand the comparison, we must look at the standard measurements. Coca-Cola's sugar content is a well-documented figure. According to Coca-Cola's own nutritional information, it contains approximately 10.6 grams of sugar per 100ml. This means a standard 375ml can of Coca-Cola contains roughly 39.8 grams of sugar. This amount is high and has zero nutritional value beyond the calories. This is the baseline for our comparison.

Boost Juice, on the other hand, presents a more varied and complex picture. As their products range from pure juices to creamy smoothies with added ingredients like yoghurt, sorbet, and various 'boosters', the sugar content fluctuates dramatically. Some of the most popular smoothies, such as the Blueberry Blast and Mango Magic, have been singled out for their alarmingly high sugar levels, sometimes exceeding the sugar content of a 600ml bottle of Coke,. The natural sugars from multiple servings of fruit, often concentrated into a single drink, add up quickly. Boost Juice themselves acknowledge the presence of sugar but argue their products contain more vitamins and antioxidants compared to the 'empty calories' of a soft drink,. However, for those monitoring sugar intake, the source of the sugar is less important than the total quantity.

The Problem with Liquid Sugar

Whether from soda or concentrated fruit juice, the body processes liquid sugars very similarly and quickly. Without the fibre from whole fruit to slow down digestion, the influx of sugar can cause a spike in blood glucose levels. This rapid rise, followed by a subsequent crash, can lead to cravings, energy slumps, and over time, contribute to health problems such as weight gain and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The feeling of fullness is also a factor; liquid calories don't satisfy hunger in the same way as solid food, making it easy to over-consume without feeling full.

Boost Juice vs. Coca-Cola: A Nutritional Comparison Table


Attribute	Standard 375ml Coca-Cola Can	Boost Juice 'All Berry Bang' (Original, approx. 490ml)	Boost Juice 'Energy Lift' (Small, 350ml)
Sugar Content (g)	~39.8g	~52g,	~60g
Sugar Content (tsp)	~10 tsp	~12.4 tsp	~15 tsp
Nutritional Value	Empty calories, no vitamins	Provides some vitamins, antioxidants	Provides some vitamins, antioxidants
Fibre	0g	Varies, but significantly reduced from whole fruit	Significantly reduced from whole fruit
Added Sugar	Yes (sucrose, corn syrup)	Can contain added sugar (sorbet, etc.)	No explicit added sugar but contains concentrated fruit sugars

Note: Boost Juice sugar content varies by size, product, and regional recipe. Values are based on data approximations from cited studies and nutritional information. Please check the latest information provided directly by Boost Juice.

Making Healthier Choices

Understanding the high sugar content in both soft drinks and many commercial juices is the first step towards better health. A juice's natural ingredients do not give it a free pass, especially when the quantity of sugar is excessive. For those looking to manage their sugar intake, there are better options.

Choose water or unsweetened alternatives: Plain water is always the best choice for hydration, but unsweetened iced tea or herbal infusions are also good options.
Eat whole fruit instead of drinking juice: Eating an apple or a handful of berries provides the natural sugars along with essential fibre, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.
Opt for 'freshly squeezed' juices sparingly: If you do crave a juice, choose freshly squeezed varieties without added sweeteners and consume them in moderation. Better still, make your own at home to control the ingredients.
Scrutinise nutritional labels: Always check the 'of which sugars' line on any beverage's nutritional label, paying attention to the serving size.

Conclusion: The Truth Behind the Sugar

So, does Boost Juice have more sugar than Coke? The definitive answer depends on the specific product, but for many popular smoothies and juices, the answer is a resounding yes,,. The critical takeaway is that both soft drinks and many fruit juices are very high in concentrated liquid sugar. While Boost Juice may offer more vitamins and minerals, this does not negate the significant sugar load. The 'health halo' of fruit juice can be a dangerous illusion, and a focus on whole foods and water is the most reliable path to better health. The battle of sugary drinks is less about one being 'good' and the other 'bad' and more about understanding the nutritional reality of both.

For more information on reducing your intake of sugary drinks, you can visit the Rethink Sugary Drink website.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Boost Juice may contain more vitamins and antioxidants due to its fruit content, many of its drinks are still very high in sugar, often exceeding the sugar in an equivalent serving of Coca-Cola,. From a sugar intake perspective, neither is a healthy option, and whole fruit is preferred.

A standard 375ml can of Coca-Cola contains approximately 39.8 grams of sugar, which is about 10 teaspoons,.

When fruit is juiced, the fibre is stripped away, allowing the body to absorb the concentrated fructose rapidly. This causes blood sugar spikes and can lead to health issues over time, similar to other sugary beverages.

Yes, some Boost Juice products, particularly smoothies, contain added ingredients like sorbet and yoghurt that contribute to the total sugar count. The natural fruit sugars are also heavily concentrated.

No. Eating whole fruit provides fibre, which slows sugar absorption and increases satiety. Drinking juice delivers a concentrated dose of sugar without the fibrous benefits.

Plain water is the best choice. Other good options include unsweetened iced tea, herbal infusions, or consuming whole fruit instead of juice.

You should consult the official nutritional information provided by Boost Juice, available on their website or in their stores. Always check the 'sugars' value on the nutritional facts panel and be aware of the total serving size.

The 'health halo' effect refers to the psychological bias where consumers perceive a product as being healthier than it actually is, often based on a single positive attribute, such as containing fruit.

No. While natural fruit sugars are found in healthy foods, when concentrated in liquid form and stripped of fibre, they can have similar negative effects to refined sugars, especially when consumed in large quantities.