Yes, There Is a Diet Soda with No Sodium: What You Need to Know

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

While popular diet sodas often contain a small amount of sodium, it is a fact that some brands on the market offer a zero-sodium version. For consumers monitoring their salt intake, finding a diet soda with no sodium can be crucial for managing health conditions or simply adhering to a dietary preference.

Quick Summary

Several brands provide diet sodas with zero sodium, though most mainstream diet sodas include some. This guide explains why some contain sodium, lists zero-sodium options, compares various brands, and offers alternatives for a healthier, sodium-controlled beverage.

Key Points

Zero-Sodium Options Exist: Brands like Diet Rite Pure Zero and Zenzi Just Soda are marketed as containing no sodium.
Not All Diet Sodas Are Equal: Many popular diet sodas from major brands contain some sodium, primarily from preservatives like sodium benzoate.
Read the Label: The nutrition facts panel is the only reliable way to confirm if a specific product is sodium-free.
Consider Alternatives: Plain or naturally flavored sparkling water is a guaranteed sodium-free option that can serve as a base for homemade sodas.
DIY Offers Control: Making your own flavored soda using sparkling water and sodium-free syrups or fresh juices provides the most control over ingredients.
Focus on Low-Sodium: If zero-sodium options are unavailable, look for sodas with a very low sodium content, checking the % Daily Value on the label.

The Quest for Zero-Sodium Diet Soda

For many health-conscious individuals, the move to diet soda is driven by a desire to reduce sugar and calorie intake. However, some are surprised to find that many of these beverages still contain sodium. While the amounts are often minimal and not a concern for most, they can add up for those on a sodium-restricted diet. The good news is that a true diet soda with no sodium is available from certain manufacturers.

Leading the Pack: Diet Rite Pure Zero and Zenzi Just Soda

Two notable brands stand out for explicitly marketing their diet sodas as zero-sodium:

Diet Rite Pure Zero Cola: This product is widely available and clearly states it has zero calories, zero caffeine, and zero sodium. The brand uses a mix of sweeteners, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium, to achieve its taste without adding sodium-based ingredients. For a refreshing, familiar cola flavor without the sodium, this is a top contender.
Zenzi Just Soda: This product, primarily found in international markets, also boasts zero calories, zero sugar, and zero sodium. Described as a sparkling mixer, it uses natural ingredients to provide a fizzy, refreshing experience. Its availability may vary by region, but it represents a pure, zero-sodium option.

Why Most Mainstream Diet Sodas Contain Sodium

The reason most popular diet soda brands contain sodium is due to the use of preservatives. A common additive is sodium benzoate, a sodium salt of benzoic acid used to prevent spoilage from bacteria, yeast, and mold. This preservative extends the shelf life of the beverage. For example, a 12-ounce can of Diet Coke contains approximately 40 mg of sodium, which comes from ingredients like sodium benzoate and sodium phosphate. This is not a significant amount for most people, but it is not zero.

The Low-Sodium Spectrum: Alternatives to Zero-Sodium Options

If the zero-sodium brands aren't available, or if you prefer a different flavor, there are still very low-sodium options to consider.

Club Soda and Sparkling Water

Club Soda: While it contains some added minerals, including a small amount of sodium, it is typically very low. For example, some brands contain as little as 25mg per serving. Always check the nutrition label, as the mineral content can vary by brand.
Sparkling Water: Plain sparkling water contains virtually no sodium unless minerals have been added. Flavored sparkling waters are also an excellent option, as long as they are unsweetened and do not contain sodium-based ingredients. They offer a refreshing, fizzy drink with complete control over sodium intake.

Homemade Soda Alternatives

For ultimate control, making your own soda is the best route. You can create a fizzy drink with sparkling water and add flavors using natural fruit juices or sugar-free syrups. This method ensures you can create a delicious beverage with exactly zero sodium.

How to Read a Nutrition Label for Sodium Content

Here’s what to check on a soda label to find its sodium content:

Look at the Nutrition Facts panel: Find the Sodium entry. A product with "0 mg" listed per serving is sodium-free.
Check the Ingredients List: Look for ingredients with "sodium" in the name, such as sodium benzoate, sodium phosphate, or sodium citrate. These are indicators that the product contains some form of sodium.
Review the % Daily Value: A Daily Value of 5% or less is considered low sodium. While a drink with 2% DV like Diet Coke is low, it is not sodium-free.

Comparing Sodium in Popular Diet Sodas


Brand	Sodium (per 12 fl oz)	Notes
Diet Rite Pure Zero Cola	0 mg	Certified zero sodium
Zenzi Just Soda	0 mg	International zero-sodium brand
Diet Coke	~40 mg	Contains sodium benzoate
Diet Pepsi	~65 mg	Contains sodium and potassium salts
Canada Dry Club Soda	~25 mg	Low sodium, check label for specific product
Plain Sparkling Water	~0 mg	Additive-free versions are zero-sodium

Conclusion

Yes, it is possible to find a diet soda with no sodium. Brands like Diet Rite and Zenzi provide options that contain zero calories, sugar, and sodium. However, many mainstream diet sodas do contain small amounts of sodium due to preservatives. For those on a restricted diet, reading the label is essential. Alternatives like sparkling water or homemade versions offer complete control over your sodium intake. With a bit of careful shopping, you can still enjoy a fizzy, flavorful beverage without the added salt.

For more information on the contents of diet soda, refer to a resource like Healthline's article on the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sodium benzoate is a sodium-based preservative added to many carbonated beverages, including diet sodas, to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold, thereby extending the product's shelf life.

Yes, both Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi contain sodium. A 12-ounce can of Diet Coke typically has around 40 mg of sodium, while Diet Pepsi contains approximately 65 mg per can.

No, club soda is not typically sodium-free. It contains added minerals, including sodium, to enhance its flavor. However, the sodium content is usually very low, often around 25mg per serving, depending on the brand.

A 'zero-sodium' drink contains no sodium, while a 'low-sodium' drink contains a small amount. In the context of beverages, a product with a % Daily Value of 5% or less is generally considered low sodium.

Not necessarily. The sodium content depends on the specific ingredients and preservatives used by the manufacturer, regardless of the country of origin. An example of an international zero-sodium brand is Zenzi Just Soda.

Yes, you can easily create a sodium-free diet soda. Simply mix plain sparkling water with a sodium-free, sugar-free flavoring, such as fruit juices or liquid stevia.

Yes, Diet Rite Pure Zero is typically available in a variety of flavors beyond just cola, including black cherry and kiwi strawberry. All flavors are formulated to be zero-sodium.