Is There a Lot of Sodium in Diet Pepsi? Understanding the Truth

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most Americans consume more than 70% of their daily sodium intake from packaged and prepared foods, not from table salt. While Diet Pepsi is a processed beverage, its sodium content is relatively low compared to many other items in a typical diet.

Quick Summary

Diet Pepsi contains a modest amount of sodium, typically around 35-65mg per 12-ounce can, a small fraction of the daily recommended limit. The sodium is present in the form of additives like sodium citrate, which improves flavor, acts as a preservative, and controls acidity.

Key Points

Low Sodium Content: A 12-ounce can of Diet Pepsi contains a modest amount of sodium, typically ranging from 35 to 65 mg, which is a small fraction of the daily recommended limit.
Used for Flavor and Preservation: Sodium is added to diet soda, often as sodium citrate, to enhance flavor, balance acidity, and act as a preservative, not primarily for a salty taste.
Diet vs. Regular: The sodium content in Diet Pepsi is comparable to, or sometimes slightly more than, regular Pepsi, but significantly less than many other common beverages like sports drinks.
Compare with Processed Foods: Other dietary sources, such as processed meats, snacks, and restaurant meals, contribute far more to daily sodium intake than diet soda.
High Sodium Risks: Excessive sodium intake is linked to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, but the amount in Diet Pepsi is not a major contributing factor.
Read Labels: Due to slight variations by region and product line, checking the specific nutritional label is the best way to confirm the sodium content.

Unpacking the Sodium Content in Diet Pepsi

For those monitoring their sodium intake, beverages can be a hidden source of this essential mineral. While a can of Diet Pepsi is not a significant sodium source, it's worth examining its nutritional profile to understand how it fits into a balanced diet. The precise amount can vary slightly by location and serving size, so checking the specific nutritional label is always the most accurate approach.

Why is There Sodium in Diet Soda?

Sodium is an essential mineral, but its presence in diet soda often surprises consumers. The primary reason for adding sodium to diet colas is not for a salty taste but for food science applications. The main ingredient responsible is often sodium citrate, a food additive that serves several critical functions:

Flavor Enhancement: Sodium citrate helps to balance the sharp, acidic flavors in a soda, such as those from citric or phosphoric acid. It rounds out the taste, making the beverage more palatable and enjoyable.
pH Regulation: It acts as a buffering agent, which helps stabilize the pH level of the soda. This is important for ensuring the effectiveness of other preservatives and maintaining a consistent flavor profile over the product's shelf life.
Preservation: By helping to regulate the pH, sodium citrate contributes to the drink's stability and acts as a preservative. This helps prevent the growth of microorganisms and extends the product's freshness.

Comparing Sodium Levels: Diet Pepsi vs. Other Beverages

To put Diet Pepsi's sodium content into perspective, it helps to compare it with other common drinks. For a standard 12-ounce (355 ml) serving, Diet Pepsi typically contains around 35 to 65 mg of sodium, depending on the region. Let's compare this to other beverages.


Beverage (approx. 12 oz)	Sodium (mg)	Notes
Diet Pepsi	35-65	Low, but varies by location.
Regular Pepsi	approx. 30	Slightly less than diet version.
Diet Coke	approx. 40	Comparable to Diet Pepsi.
Gatorade	>110	Significantly higher due to electrolytes.
Club Soda	approx. 95	Added salts for flavor enhancement.
Tap Water	<1 (varies)	Generally considered sodium-free.
Vegetable Juice	up to 800+	Extremely high in sodium.

As the table shows, Diet Pepsi is far from being a high-sodium beverage. In fact, many regular sodas contain less sodium than their diet counterparts. The real sodium culprits in a diet are often not drinks, but processed foods like deli meats, pizza, and savory snacks.

The Bigger Picture: Sodium in a Balanced Diet

While the amount of sodium in Diet Pepsi is low, context is crucial. A single serving contributes only a minor fraction to the recommended daily intake. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises adults to consume no more than 2,000 mg of sodium per day, which is equivalent to about 5 grams of salt. The average American, however, consumes around 3,400 mg per day.

High sodium intake is linked to several health issues, including:

Raised Blood Pressure: Excess sodium intake causes the body to retain water, increasing blood volume and subsequently blood pressure.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for these cardiovascular conditions.
Gastric Cancer: A diet high in salt and salt-preserved foods has been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Kidney Disease: Excessive sodium can put a strain on the kidneys and exacerbate existing renal issues.

Given that the average person is already exceeding daily sodium recommendations, every source, no matter how small, contributes to the overall total. However, focusing on high-sodium processed foods will have a much greater impact on overall intake than eliminating diet soda. For example, a single deli meat sandwich can contain hundreds of milligrams of sodium, far outweighing the amount found in a can of Diet Pepsi.

Conclusion

In summary, while Diet Pepsi does contain sodium, the amount is very small and is used for flavor and preservation rather than taste. It is not considered a high-sodium beverage and contributes a minimal amount to the average person's daily total. When looking to reduce overall sodium intake, it's far more effective to focus on processed foods, restaurant meals, and packaged snacks, which contain substantially higher levels of sodium. Always check nutritional labels for the most accurate information and consider diet soda's role within your overall dietary pattern.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individuals with specific health concerns, such as high blood pressure, should consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Reducing sodium intake is a cost-effective way to improve health, but it should be part of a comprehensive, healthy lifestyle.

For more information on sodium guidelines, consider visiting the World Health Organization website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 12-ounce can of Diet Pepsi contains around 35-65 mg of sodium, though the exact amount can vary by location and product variation.

No, Diet Pepsi is not considered a high-sodium drink. The sodium content is low compared to the daily recommended intake and is significantly less than many other food items.

Sodium is added to diet soda, primarily as sodium citrate, to regulate acidity, enhance the overall flavor profile, and act as a preservative. It helps balance the sharp taste of acids.

Diet Pepsi often has a slightly higher sodium content than regular Pepsi, but the difference is minimal. For example, some sources indicate regular Pepsi has around 30mg, while Diet Pepsi might have 35mg.

Compared to other drinks, Diet Pepsi's sodium content is low. It contains far less sodium than sports drinks, vegetable juices, or club soda, and slightly more than unflavored seltzer water or tap water.

For most healthy individuals, the small amount of sodium in diet soda is not a health concern. The bigger health risk comes from the excessive sodium found in processed and prepared foods.

Individuals on a strict low-sodium diet should be mindful of all sources. While the amount in Diet Pepsi is small, they should consult with a healthcare professional to determine if it fits within their dietary restrictions.