How Much Sugar Is in a Benecol Drink?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Benecol offers a range of yogurt drinks designed to help lower cholesterol, with studies showing a daily dose can reduce levels by 7–10% in just a few weeks. While known for plant stanols, a crucial factor for many consumers is understanding how much sugar is in Benecol drink, especially across the various flavour options.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the sugar content of Benecol yogurt drinks, examining both naturally occurring sugars and the addition of sweeteners in 'no added sugar' varieties. It provides a detailed comparison of sugar levels across popular flavours and offers context for managing sugar intake while focusing on heart health.

Key Points

No Added Sugar Versions: Benecol's 'no added sugar' drinks contain only naturally occurring sugars from milk and fruit, typically between 2.7g and 3.2g per 67.5g serving.
Artificial Sweeteners: In 'no added sugar' varieties, artificial sweeteners like sucralose are used to provide flavour without adding sugar.
Standard Flavours: Some Benecol flavours, like the standard Strawberry, contain a mix of naturally occurring and added sugars.
Consistent Plant Stanols: Regardless of sugar content, a daily Benecol yogurt drink provides 2g of plant stanols, the active ingredient for lowering cholesterol.
Read the Label: The specific sugar content depends on the flavour and product line, so checking the nutritional label is the best practice.
Part of a Healthy Diet: Benecol is intended to be consumed as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle to achieve its cholesterol-lowering effects.

Understanding the Sugar Content in Benecol Drinks

When considering a daily health supplement like a Benecol yogurt drink, understanding its nutritional profile is essential. The sugar content, in particular, can vary depending on the product line, with key differences between the original formulas and those labeled 'no added sugar'. The sugar present can be either naturally occurring from milk and fruit or, in some cases, added by the manufacturer, alongside artificial sweeteners to maintain flavour.

Benecol's No Added Sugar Varieties

For those watching their sugar intake, Benecol offers several 'no added sugar' options. These products do not have added sucrose but still contain naturally occurring sugars from the yogurt and fruit ingredients. To achieve their taste profile, these drinks are formulated with a sweetener, such as sucralose.

Here is a look at the sugar content for a standard 67.5g serving of some popular 'no added sugar' variants, based on nutritional information provided by Benecol's UK and Tesco sites:

Original No Added Sugar: 2.7g of sugars per 67.5g serving. These are naturally occurring sugars from milk.
Raspberry No Added Sugar: 3.0g of sugars per 67.5g serving. This includes naturally occurring sugars from the raspberry puree and milk.
Peach & Apricot (No Added Sugar): Contains 3.2g of sugars per 67.5g serving. These are derived from the fruit and milk content.

How Sugar is Measured

On nutritional labels, sugar is listed under 'Carbohydrate of which sugars'. This figure includes both naturally occurring sugars (like lactose in milk and fructose in fruit) and any added sugars. In the case of Benecol, the 'no added sugar' label clarifies that any sugar listed is exclusively from the natural ingredients.

Sugar Content vs. Total Carbohydrates

It is important to distinguish between the total carbohydrate count and the specific sugar content. The carbohydrate figure includes other forms of carbohydrates like lactose. For example, for the Original No Added Sugar flavour, the carbohydrate content is 2.9g per serving, with 2.7g of that being sugars. This means almost all carbohydrates in this particular product are simple sugars.

Benecol's Standard (Added Sugar) Drinks

Some Benecol yogurt drinks, particularly in non-'no added sugar' ranges, include added sugars to enhance flavour. For example, the Strawberry flavour contains both sugars and sweetener.


Comparison of Benecol Drink Sugar Content	Product (67.5g serving)	Sugar Content (grams)	Sugar Type	Sweetener Used	Notes
Original (No Added Sugar)	2.7g	Naturally Occurring	Sucralose	Contains naturally occurring sugars only.
Raspberry (No Added Sugar)	3.0g	Naturally Occurring	Sucralose	Naturally occurring sugars from fruit and milk.
Peach & Apricot (No Added Sugar)	3.2g	Naturally Occurring	N/A	Naturally occurring sugars from fruit and milk.
Strawberry (Standard)	3.3g	Naturally Occurring + Added	Sucralose	Explicitly states 'sugars and sweetener' in description.
Blueberry (Standard)	3.2g	Naturally Occurring + Added	N/A	Contains added sugar for flavour.

Other Cholesterol-Lowering Drinks

While comparing Benecol, it is beneficial to look at other brands. Competitor products that also rely on plant stanols or sterols will often have similar considerations regarding sugar and sweetener use. Consumers should always check the nutritional panel of specific products, as sugar content can vary significantly, especially if the product is not explicitly labelled 'no added sugar'. Some alternative brands might use different sweeteners or contain higher levels of added sugar depending on their formulation.

Making the Right Choice for Your Health Goals

Selecting the right Benecol drink depends on your dietary priorities. If you are focused on minimizing sugar intake, the 'no added sugar' varieties are the clear choice, as they rely on natural fruit and milk sugars plus a sweetener. If a small amount of added sugar is not a concern and you prefer a different flavour profile, some standard drinks offer that, though with a slightly higher total sugar count. The ultimate goal is to consume one drink daily to achieve the recommended 2g of plant stanols, which is consistent across all formats.

In all cases, remember that Benecol foods should be enjoyed as part of a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. For specific dietary concerns, such as managing diabetes, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. You can find detailed product information on Benecol's official website, such as this page on the Original Yogurt Drink.

Conclusion

The sugar content in a Benecol drink varies depending on the product line. For 'no added sugar' versions like the Original, Raspberry, and Peach & Apricot, the sugar is naturally occurring and typically ranges from 2.7g to 3.2g per 67.5g serving. Standard, non-'no added sugar' versions may contain a slightly higher sugar count due to added sugars. All varieties provide a consistent dose of plant stanols for cholesterol reduction, making the choice between products a matter of personal dietary preference regarding sweetness and sugar sources. Always check the specific product label for the most accurate nutritional details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all Benecol drinks contain added sugar. The 'no added sugar' varieties, such as Original and Raspberry, contain only naturally occurring sugars from milk and fruit and use artificial sweeteners instead.

Sugar content varies by flavour and product line. The 'no added sugar' versions have slightly different levels based on fruit content, while standard flavours include both naturally occurring and added sugars, which can result in a higher total sugar count.

Benecol's 'no added sugar' yogurt drinks are considered low in sugar, as they contain only small amounts of naturally occurring sugars. Consumers can confirm the exact amount by checking the product's nutritional label.

A 67.5g serving of the Benecol Original No Added Sugar drink contains 2.7g of sugars, which are all naturally occurring from the milk ingredients.

The plant stanols and sweeteners used in Benecol have been extensively researched and are considered safe for long-term consumption. No side effects related to the sweeteners have been widely reported, but it is always wise to consult a doctor if you have specific concerns.

People with diabetes should consult a healthcare professional before adding Benecol to their diet. While the 'no added sugar' versions are low in sugar, the presence of carbohydrates and sweeteners should be considered. It is recommended to choose the 'no added sugar' variants and factor them into your overall carbohydrate intake.

To get the most accurate information, check the nutritional information label on the Benecol packaging or visit the official Benecol website. The 'carbohydrate of which sugars' section will list the total sugar content.