Does Jamba Juice use artificial sweeteners in their drinks?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

In 2019, Jamba, formerly Jamba Juice, removed artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup from its menu, focusing instead on fresh, whole-food ingredients. This was a shift from some previous products that used artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda.

Quick Summary

Jamba's core menu items no longer contain artificial sweeteners, a change implemented in 2019 to prioritize natural ingredients. Many drinks, however, still have significant natural sugars from fruit concentrates, sherbet, and juice blends.

Key Points

No Artificial Sweeteners: Jamba stopped using artificial sweeteners like Splenda after its 2019 rebrand.
Natural Sugars are High: Many drinks get their sweetness from fruit juice concentrates, sherbet, and frozen yogurt, leading to high sugar content.
Customization is Recommended: To reduce sugar, request smoothies with no sherbet or frozen yogurt, use plant-based milks, or add vegetable boosts.
Fresh Juices are Cleaner: Fresh-pressed juices like Purely Carrot are lower in sugar and contain only naturally occurring fruit/vegetable sugars.
Check Nutrition Information: Always review Jamba's nutritional guide online to understand the sugar and calorie content of specific drinks.

Jamba's Transition: From Artificial Sweeteners to Natural Options

Jamba, also known as Jamba Juice, changed its menu and branding in 2019, eliminating artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup. This change met the growing consumer demand for more transparent and cleaner labels. Previously, the lower-calorie "Make It Light" smoothies used Splenda (sucralose). These items are no longer available. The company now focuses on natural sugars from fruit, honey, and agave. However, this doesn't guarantee that every item is low in sugar.

The Use of Natural Sugars and Concentrates

Even though artificial sweeteners are gone, it's important to know where the sweetness in Jamba's drinks comes from. Many smoothies and bowls contain juice blends, sherbet, and frozen yogurt. These ingredients contain a large amount of sugar. A medium-sized drink can have more sugar than a can of soda. For example, a 22oz Razzmatazz Smoothie has 74 grams of sugar, mostly from its fruit and sherbet. A 20oz Coca-Cola has about 65 grams. Customers need to be mindful of what they order and the ingredients used to control sugar intake.

Customization: The Key to Lower Sugar

Customization is essential for healthier choices. Many Jamba items can be modified to reduce sugar. Choosing an all-fruit base without sherbet or frozen yogurt is a common option. Fresh-pressed juices and vegetable-based smoothies offer lower-sugar alternatives.

Tips for reducing sugar in Jamba orders include:

Choose fresh juices: Options like Purely Carrot or Great Greens are fresh-pressed with only natural sugars.
Select plant-based bases: Request smoothies made with almond milk or oat milk instead of sherbet or frozen yogurt.
Opt for boosters: Add protein, chia seeds, or kale to increase nutrition without adding sugar.
Order a smaller size: A smaller portion naturally reduces sugar and calorie intake.
Customize classic recipes: Ask to substitute the sherbet with extra fruit or a healthier base. A former Jamba employee suggests frozen yogurt or more fruit and ice.

Comparing Jamba Drinks: High vs. Low Sugar Content

The following table compares two popular Jamba drinks. Nutritional information is for a medium (22oz) size and may vary.


Feature	Classic Smoothie (e.g., Razzmatazz)	Veggie-Based Smoothie (e.g., Great Greens)
Base Ingredients	Strawberries, bananas, orange sherbet, raspberry sherbet, fruit juice blend.	Cucumber, spinach, apple, lemon.
Primary Sweetener	Sherbet, fruit juice concentrate.	Natural fruit and vegetable sugars.
Added Sugar	Yes, from sherbet and juice blends.	No, only naturally occurring sugars.
Approximate Sugar (g)	~73g	~31g
Fiber Content (g)	~3g	~6g

Where to Find Information on Jamba's Ingredients

Jamba's commitment to avoiding artificial sweeteners is stated on their corporate newsroom. Detailed nutritional information is available online and in-store. The Jamba nutritional guide provides ingredients and nutritional content. Healthline also analyzed Jamba's menu, noting that while artificial sweeteners are absent, high sugar content is still a concern.

Conclusion

Jamba Juice does not currently use artificial sweeteners in its main menu since its 2019 menu revision. The important thing for health-conscious consumers is that high sugar levels come from natural sources like fruit juice concentrates and sherbets. Understanding ingredients and using customization options help customers enjoy Jamba while managing their sugar intake. Choosing fresh juices or customizing smoothies with vegetable boosts and plant-based milks are great ways to create more balanced beverages.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Jamba Juice does not currently use Splenda or any other artificial sweeteners in its main menu. Splenda was used in older menu items like the "Make It Light" smoothies, which are no longer offered.

No, many Jamba Juice drinks are quite high in sugar, especially those made with sherbet, frozen yogurt, or juice concentrates. Even without artificial sweeteners, the natural sugars can be very high.

Jamba now uses natural sugars from sources like real fruit, fruit juice blends from concentrate, sherbet, frozen yogurt, honey, and agave to sweeten their beverages.

To order a low-sugar drink, choose a fresh-pressed juice, opt for a vegetable-heavy smoothie, ask for no sherbet or frozen yogurt, or add extra veggies and protein boosts.

Jamba's 'All Fruit' smoothies generally do not have added sugar from sherbet or frozen yogurt. However, they may be sweetened with fruit juice concentrate, which significantly increases the total sugar content.

While Jamba provides nutrients that soda lacks, many of its smoothies contain a comparable or even higher amount of sugar per serving than a can of soda. The healthiness depends heavily on the specific drink and size.

You can find Jamba Juice's official nutritional information, including ingredient lists and sugar content, on their official website or in a downloadable PDF.