Is Aquarius Zero Healthy? A Look at Electrolytes and Artificial Sweeteners

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a joint 2023 report from the WHO's IARC and JECFA, while aspartame was classified as a "possible carcinogen," the acceptable daily intake was not changed, with no convincing evidence found of adverse effects at common consumption levels. Aquarius Zero is a zero-calorie, zero-sugar version of the popular sports drink, formulated with electrolytes and artificial sweeteners to provide hydration without the added calories. Its appeal lies in offering a low-calorie alternative for replenishing minerals lost during exercise or daily activity. However, this zero-sugar formulation raises questions about its overall health impact, particularly regarding the synthetic ingredients used to replace sugar.

Quick Summary

An examination of Aquarius Zero's ingredients reveals it offers electrolyte replenishment without calories, using artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium and aspartame. While potentially beneficial for those moderating calorie intake, concerns exist regarding synthetic additives and their long-term health effects. Its healthiness ultimately depends on individual context and consumption levels.

Key Points

Zero Sugar, Zero Calories: Aquarius Zero contains no sugar and zero calories, making it a low-calorie alternative to regular sports drinks for hydration.
Electrolyte Replenishment: It effectively replenishes key minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which are lost through sweat during physical activity.
Artificial Sweeteners: The drink relies on controversial artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium, which have raised long-term health concerns in some studies.
Moderation is Key: While moderate consumption is generally considered safe by major health authorities like the FDA, critics point to potential risks associated with excessive intake.
Not a Performance Fuel: Because it lacks carbohydrates, Aquarius Zero is not ideal for high-intensity, long-duration exercise where energy (calories) is needed to prevent fatigue.
Whole Foods are Better: For daily hydration, plain water is the healthiest option, as Aquarius Zero lacks the comprehensive nutritional value of whole foods.

What's in Aquarius Zero? Deconstructing the Ingredients

Aquarius Zero is promoted as a hydration solution for active individuals, boasting zero calories and zero sugar. To achieve this, it relies on a specific formulation of water, electrolytes, and artificial additives. Understanding these components is key to evaluating its health profile.

Electrolytes for Hydration

Electrolytes are minerals that perform vital functions in the body, such as regulating nerve and muscle function, maintaining fluid balance, and regulating blood pressure. In Aquarius Zero, these include:

Sodium: A crucial electrolyte for regulating the body's fluid balance and absorbing water.
Potassium: Supports muscle contractions and nerve signaling.
Magnesium: Aids in over 300 enzyme reactions, supporting energy and muscle function.
Calcium: Another essential mineral that helps with hydration and muscle health.

Replenishing these minerals is important, especially for athletes or anyone who loses them through significant sweating. For light activity or everyday hydration, however, plain water is generally sufficient.

The Role of Artificial Sweeteners

Aquarius Zero uses a combination of artificial sweeteners to achieve its sweet flavor without calories. Some common ones found in versions of the drink include:

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): A calorie-free sweetener often used in conjunction with others to enhance the taste.
Sucralose: A non-caloric sugar substitute that passes through the body without being metabolized.
Aspartame: Composed of two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine), this sweetener is often the subject of health debates.

These sweeteners allow Aquarius Zero to be a zero-sugar option, but they are also the source of much of the health controversy surrounding such beverages. Some studies have linked excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners to concerns such as altered glucose and insulin responses, changes to gut bacteria, and potential increases in cravings for sweet foods.

Other Additives and What They Do

Beyond the primary ingredients, Aquarius Zero also contains other functional additives:

Citric Acid: A common acidulant that enhances flavor and acts as a preservative.
Stabilizers (e.g., Acacia Gum, Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosin): These additives help keep the oils and flavors suspended in the water, ensuring a consistent product. The European Food Safety Authority has expressed concerns regarding the safety of gum rosin derivatives due to insufficient research.
Antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin C): Included in some versions to offer an additional health benefit.
Natural and Artificial Flavorings: Used to create the specific taste of the drink, often citrus-based.

Aquarius Zero vs. Regular Aquarius: A Comparative Look

When considering which version to consume, it's helpful to compare the two directly.


Feature	Aquarius Zero	Regular Aquarius
Calories	0 kcal per 100ml	Contains calories (not zero)
Sugar	0g per 100ml	Contains sugar, the main source of energy
Sweeteners	Artificial sweeteners (acesulfame potassium, sucralose, aspartame)	Sugar (fructose or sucrose)
Electrolytes	Contains essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium	Contains electrolytes for replenishment
Best for...	Low-intensity exercise, casual daily hydration, or those on a low-sugar/keto diet.	Intense, long-duration exercise where carbohydrates are needed for energy.
Potential Concern	Risks associated with artificial sweeteners and additives.	High sugar and calorie content can be a concern for weight management and blood sugar control if not used properly.

The Health Controversy and Expert Opinions

While Aquarius Zero offers a clear advantage over sugary drinks for those focused on calorie and sugar intake, it is not without its critics. Expert bodies and scientific studies have highlighted some points of contention.

The Aspartame Question

The World Health Organization's IARC classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B) in 2023 based on limited evidence. However, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) found no convincing evidence of adverse effects in humans at current consumption levels and did not change the acceptable daily intake (ADI). For a person to exceed the ADI, they would have to consume very large quantities, but the classification still raises a red flag for some consumers.

Impact on Gut Health

Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners like sucralose can negatively impact the gut microbiome. A balanced gut is essential for overall health, and disrupting this balance could potentially lead to digestive issues.

Potential for Metabolic Dysfunction

Research, including some animal studies, has suggested that long-term intake of diet drinks, sugar-free or not, might contribute to metabolic syndrome and impact glucose and insulin levels, even without the sugar. However, more human studies are needed to fully understand these potential effects.

Lack of Nutritional Value

Compared to whole-food alternatives, Aquarius Zero offers zero nutritional value beyond its electrolyte and vitamin content. While it helps with hydration, it cannot replace the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in whole foods. Leading health organizations, such as the Cancer Council SA, recommend water or milk over diet drinks.

Conclusion

So, is Aquarius Zero healthy? The answer is nuanced. It offers a clear advantage over high-sugar sports drinks for those seeking calorie-free hydration and electrolyte replenishment during low-intensity activity or for daily use. It is also a suitable option for individuals monitoring blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes. However, its healthiness is not absolute. The reliance on artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame and sucralose, introduces potential long-term health risks that are still being debated and researched. For many, especially those who are not engaged in intense, prolonged exercise, plain water remains the healthiest and most natural option for hydration. For athletes needing carbohydrates, a traditional sports drink may be more beneficial for performance. As with any processed food or drink, moderation and context are key. You can find more information on food additives and regulations on the official FDA website, which deems aspartame safe under approved conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Aquarius Zero is known to contain aspartame, along with other artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium and sucralose, to provide a sweet taste without the calories.

It depends on your goals. Aquarius Zero is better for those watching their calorie and sugar intake. Regular Aquarius is better for high-intensity, prolonged exercise where carbohydrates are needed for energy.

Aquarius Zero does not contain sugar, so it is unlikely to cause a noticeable spike in blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for many people with diabetes. However, some studies suggest artificial sweeteners might still impact metabolic health over the long term.

Major health authorities like the FDA consider aspartame safe at approved consumption levels. While the WHO's IARC classified it as a "possible carcinogen" in 2023, the acceptable daily intake was not changed, and this was based on limited evidence.

For most people, drinking Aquarius Zero in moderation is likely safe. However, plain water is always the healthiest option for daily hydration. Excessive reliance on artificially sweetened drinks can be a concern for some health experts.

The primary benefit of Aquarius Zero is providing calorie-free hydration and replenishing electrolytes lost during sweat, helping to maintain fluid balance and support muscle function.

Potential health risks are mainly associated with its artificial ingredients, such as possible impacts on the gut microbiome from sucralose and metabolic concerns linked to sweeteners in some studies. As always, moderation is key.