Is SodaStream Healthier Than Buying Soda? A Comprehensive Guide

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, sugary drinks are a leading source of added sugars in the American diet, contributing to a host of health problems. This makes many people question: is SodaStream healthier than buying soda? The answer isn't a simple yes or no, but it hinges on how you use the device and what you add to your carbonated water.

Quick Summary

An analysis of the nutritional differences between SodaStream-made beverages and commercial sodas, focusing on sugar content, sweeteners, and customization options. It provides a detailed comparison, explores the pros and cons of each, and gives practical advice for making healthier beverage choices.

Key Points

Control Your Sugar: Unlike pre-packaged sodas, SodaStream allows you to fully control the amount and type of sweetener, offering a pathway to dramatically lower your sugar intake.
Less Harmful Ingredients: SodaStream syrups typically contain less sugar and calories than commercial sodas and do not use high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame in many of their options.
Endless Customization: You can bypass syrups entirely and create genuinely healthy, zero-sugar drinks by infusing plain sparkling water with fresh fruits, herbs, and natural juices.
Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly: Over time, using a SodaStream is significantly cheaper and reduces a large amount of single-use plastic waste from bottles and cans.
Sparkling Water Benefits: Plain sparkling water from a SodaStream is a zero-calorie alternative that helps with hydration and can aid in weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness.
Potential for Enamel Erosion: While much less harmful than commercial soda, the carbonic acid in carbonated water can still contribute to dental enamel erosion over time, especially with additional acidic flavorings.

Comparing the Nutritional Content: SodaStream Syrups vs. Commercial Soda

When evaluating if SodaStream is healthier than buying soda, the most crucial comparison lies in the syrup. SodaStream offers a vast array of syrups, including classic soda flavors, diet options, and natural fruit concentrates. The core difference is the level of control and the ingredients used. Standard commercial sodas are pre-mixed and laden with high-fructose corn syrup, high levels of sugar, and often phosphoric acid. In contrast, SodaStream allows users to control the amount of syrup they add, and many of its flavorings use real sugar alongside artificial sweeteners to achieve a lower calorie count per serving.

For example, a typical 12 oz can of a name-brand cola contains roughly 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. An equivalent 12 oz serving made with a standard SodaStream cola syrup and the recommended amount of syrup contains around 60 calories. However, the real advantage is that you can use less syrup or even opt for the zero-calorie or naturally-flavored options, which contain no high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame. The ultimate healthiness of your SodaStream drink is entirely up to you and your portion control.

The Health Impact of Carbonated Water Alone

Before adding any flavor, a SodaStream’s primary function is to create sparkling water. Plain sparkling water is simply water with carbon dioxide dissolved into it. Unlike soda, it contains no sugar, calories, or artificial sweeteners. It's a great way to stay hydrated and can be a fantastic alternative for those who find plain water boring. Research indicates that drinking sparkling water can help with weight management by increasing feelings of fullness, potentially acting as an appetite suppressant. The one dental health concern is that the carbonation process creates carbonic acid, which can contribute to enamel erosion over time, though it is far less acidic than regular soda.

Customization: The Biggest Health Advantage

One of the most significant benefits of a SodaStream is the ability to create truly healthy drinks by using natural, non-syrup flavorings. This puts the control of your beverage’s nutritional content completely in your hands. Instead of relying on commercially-produced, sugar-filled syrups, you can experiment with healthier alternatives. Some popular options include:

Fresh citrus juice: A squeeze of lemon, lime, or orange for a refreshing, low-sugar flavor.
Muddled fruits: Muddle berries, mint, or cucumber for a more complex and natural taste.
Herbs and spices: Add sprigs of mint, basil, or a slice of ginger for a sophisticated, zero-calorie flavor infusion.
100% fruit juice: A small splash of pomegranate, cranberry, or cherry juice can add natural sweetness and some vitamins with less sugar than a full-sized soda.

This level of customization is simply not possible with a store-bought soda. You can wean yourself off sweeteners and sugary flavors gradually, a strategy that is both healthier and more cost-effective in the long run.

Comparison Table: SodaStream vs. Store-Bought Soda


Feature	SodaStream-Made Drink	Store-Bought Soda
Sugar Content	Fully controllable, from zero to moderate. Standard syrups are typically 50% less sugary than commercial sodas.	High and fixed. Often uses high-fructose corn syrup.
Calorie Count	Low to zero, depending on syrup choice and amount. Can easily be made zero-calorie.	High and fixed per serving.
Artificial Sweeteners	Present in many standard syrups. Diet/zero-calorie options are available.	Found in most commercial diet sodas, like aspartame.
Control	High. You decide the amount and type of flavor. Can opt for natural ingredients.	Zero. The formula is fixed by the manufacturer.
Cost	More cost-effective over time. A single carbonating canister makes up to 60 liters.	Expensive per unit. Cost adds up quickly with regular consumption.
Additives	Fewer artificial colorings and no phosphoric acid if unflavored.	May contain phosphoric acid, artificial colors, and other additives.
Environmental Impact	Low. Reduces single-use plastic bottles and transportation costs.	High. Generates significant single-use plastic waste and carbon emissions from transport.

Environmental Benefits and Cost Savings

Beyond the direct health implications, SodaStream offers clear environmental and financial advantages. A single reusable bottle and a refillable carbonator reduce the waste of hundreds of plastic bottles and cans. Furthermore, making your own soda water at home eliminates the fuel consumption and carbon footprint associated with transporting bottled beverages. On a personal level, the cost savings are substantial. Over time, the investment in a SodaStream machine and gas canisters is far cheaper than buying comparable quantities of commercial soda. The affordability, combined with the health and environmental benefits, makes it a compelling choice for many households.

Potential Downsides and Considerations

While SodaStream presents a healthier alternative, it's not without potential downsides. For starters, the carbonation itself, while not a major health threat, can slightly increase the acidity of the water, potentially affecting dental enamel over long periods, especially if flavored with additional acidic ingredients like citrus. Additionally, relying too heavily on the pre-made flavored syrups, especially the standard sugar versions, simply replaces one sugary soda habit with another, albeit with lower calories. It's a tool for healthier living, not a guaranteed solution. The healthiest option will always be unflavored, regular water.

Conclusion: A Tool for Healthier Habits

Ultimately, whether a SodaStream is healthier than buying soda depends on how you use it. For those who simply use it to create plain sparkling water or lightly flavor it with natural ingredients, it is a vastly healthier option. The ability to control sugar intake, avoid high-fructose corn syrup, and reduce artificial additives makes it a powerful tool for improving one's diet. If you are replacing a commercial soda habit with a SodaStream and its custom flavorings, you are taking a step in the right direction. However, moderation is still key, as flavored fizzy drinks should always be an occasional treat rather than a primary source of hydration. The control, customization, and cost-effectiveness make the SodaStream a compelling choice for those looking to kick a soda habit or make better beverage choices at home. To learn more about healthy hydration, a good resource is the CDC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, SodaStream does not use high-fructose corn syrup in its syrups. Instead, many of its regular flavors use a blend of natural sugar and artificial sweeteners to achieve a lower calorie count.

The carbonation process creates carbonic acid, which can be mildly erosive to tooth enamel over time. However, it is significantly less harmful than the highly acidic content found in commercial sodas.

Yes, one of the biggest advantages is the ability to control your flavor intensity. You can easily use less syrup than the instructions suggest to further reduce your sugar and calorie intake.

SodaStream's diet options are typically lower in calories than diet sodas, as they allow for more control over the amount of sweetener. They are a healthier alternative to sugary commercial sodas, but pure water remains the best option.

To make your SodaStream drinks as healthy as possible, use plain sparkling water and flavor it with natural ingredients like fresh fruit juice, muddled berries, or a slice of ginger instead of pre-made syrups.

Yes, using a SodaStream is more cost-effective over the long term. A single carbonating canister can produce up to 60 liters of sparkling water, saving you money compared to continuously buying bottled soda.

Yes, sparkling water is just as hydrating as still water and can be a more appealing alternative for those who dislike the taste of plain water. It also offers the added benefit of promoting a feeling of fullness.