Is there an energy drink without artificial sweeteners? Your guide to natural options

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

Around 1 in 4 US adults report consuming energy drinks regularly, leading to a rise in demand for healthier options. For those concerned about artificial ingredients, a growing market answers: Is there an energy drink without artificial sweeteners? Yes, and this guide will help you find them.

Quick Summary

Yes, many energy drinks now avoid artificial sweeteners, using natural options like stevia and monk fruit instead. This guide explores brands, natural ingredients, and homemade recipes for a cleaner energy boost.

Key Points

Natural Alternatives Exist: Many energy drinks now avoid artificial sweeteners by using natural options like stevia, monk fruit, or real fruit juice concentrates.
Clean Ingredients are Key: Look for beverages that use naturally-sourced caffeine from green tea or yerba mate, and beneficial additions like adaptogens and electrolytes.
Healthier Brands Available: Reputable brands like Zevia, Proper Wild, Runa, and Odyssey offer effective, naturally-sweetened products.
DIY Recipes Provide Control: For complete ingredient control, simple homemade recipes using green tea, honey, and fresh fruit are a great alternative.
Read Labels Carefully: Always scrutinize the ingredient list to verify the specific sweeteners used and avoid unwanted additives.
Understand Health Impacts: Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame may be linked to potential health issues affecting the gut microbiome and metabolism.
Moderate Caffeine Intake: Even with natural ingredients, it's wise to moderate caffeine consumption to avoid potential side effects like jitters or crashes.

The Shift Towards Clean Energy

Energy drinks have long been associated with a blend of sugar and synthetic additives, designed to provide a rapid and intense jolt of energy. However, a significant shift in consumer preference has emerged. As more people become conscious of what they consume, the spotlight has turned to the potential health risks of artificial sweeteners and flavors. This has fueled the market for 'clean' energy drinks, which use naturally derived ingredients to provide a boost without the synthetic additives. Understanding the ingredients is the first step toward making a more informed choice for your diet.

Why Consumers are Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium have been linked to a variety of potential health concerns, prompting many to seek out natural alternatives. While some studies show limited evidence of risk within certain consumption limits, others suggest potential issues, including:

Digestive issues: Altering the gut microbiome and potentially causing bloating or other digestive problems.
Metabolic disruption: Potential links to glucose intolerance and affecting how the body regulates blood sugar.
Neurological effects: Some consumers report experiencing headaches or other neurophysiological symptoms after consumption.
Increased cravings: The sweetness can perpetuate a craving for sweet flavors, potentially hindering weight management goals.

Natural Sweeteners Used in Energy Drinks

Thankfully, the energy drink market has evolved to offer solutions for those avoiding synthetic additives. The primary way brands achieve sweetness without artificial ingredients is by using natural sweeteners, each with its own profile:

Stevia: Derived from the stevia leaf, this zero-calorie sweetener is a popular alternative that doesn't impact blood sugar levels. Brands like Zevia and certain CELSIUS varieties use stevia.
Monk Fruit: This calorie-free sweetener comes from monk fruit extract and is known for its intense sweetness without the aftertaste some associate with stevia. Proper Wild and Runa both incorporate monk fruit into their formulas.
Erythritol: A sugar alcohol naturally found in some fruits, erythritol is often used in combination with stevia for a balanced sweetness.
Organic Cane Sugar and Fruit Juice Concentrates: Some natural energy drinks use a minimal amount of organic sugar or juice to sweeten, balancing the flavor and keeping the ingredient list clean. Runa and Proper Wild are examples.

Leading Brands Offering Natural Options

The rise of clean energy has given way to a number of brands that cater specifically to health-conscious consumers. When seeking a naturally sweetened energy drink, some reputable options include:

Zevia: Well-known for using stevia exclusively to sweeten its soda line, Zevia also applies this to its energy drinks, offering a zero-sugar option with organic caffeine.
Proper Wild: These energy shots use a blend of organic agave nectar and monk fruit for a balanced sweetness, and feature organic caffeine and L-theanine for focused energy.
Runa: Positioned as an organic, plant-based drink, Runa uses guayusa for natural caffeine and sweetens with organic cane sugar, monk fruit, and stevia.
Odyssey: Known for its adaptogenic mushrooms and natural caffeine, Odyssey products are sweetened with stevia for a clean, zero-sugar profile.
GURU Organic Energy: These drinks feature a simple, organic ingredient list, relying on natural sources for both energy and flavor.
CELSIUS (Stevia-Sweetened Line): While some CELSIUS products contain artificial sweeteners, they have a dedicated line naturally sweetened with stevia and erythritol.

Beyond Sweeteners: Other Clean Ingredients

Natural energy drinks often go beyond just the sweetener. Many brands incorporate other functional, naturally-derived ingredients to provide a more holistic energy boost, including:

Natural Caffeine Sources: Instead of synthetic caffeine, they use extracts from green tea, green coffee beans, or yerba mate, which can provide a smoother, less jittery energy release.
Adaptogenic Herbs: Ingredients like ginseng, rhodiola, and ashwagandha may be included to help the body manage stress and support overall energy levels.
Electrolytes: Coconut water is a common addition, offering a natural source of hydrating electrolytes like potassium.
B Vitamins and Amino Acids: These vital nutrients support metabolic function and energy production at a cellular level.

DIY Natural Energy Drink Recipes

For those who want complete control over their ingredients, making your own natural energy drink at home is a simple and rewarding alternative. Here are a few easy recipes:

Ginger-Turmeric Tonic: Brew fresh grated ginger and turmeric in hot water. Add a squeeze of lemon and a teaspoon of honey for a metabolism-boosting, anti-inflammatory tonic.
Homemade Green Tea Energy: Steep green tea bags and a yerba maté bag in boiling water. Add agave syrup, fresh lemon juice, and cool over ice for a clean, caffeinated refresher.
Natural Electrolyte Water: Combine filtered water, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and a small amount of honey for a simple, hydrating drink.

Comparison: Traditional vs. Natural Energy Drinks


Feature	Traditional Energy Drinks	Natural Energy Drinks
Sweeteners	Often use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, or high-fructose corn syrup.	Use natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, organic cane sugar, or fruit juice.
Caffeine Source	Typically use synthetic, isolated caffeine for a strong, fast-acting effect.	Use naturally-sourced caffeine from green tea, yerba mate, or coffee beans for a smoother boost.
Flavoring	Use synthetic, artificial flavors to achieve a consistent taste.	Use natural fruit extracts and botanical flavorings.
Calorie Content	Highly variable; can be zero-calorie with artificial sweeteners or high-calorie with sugar.	Ranges from zero-calorie (stevia/monk fruit) to low-calorie (minimal sugar).
Potential Side Effects	May include jitters, crashes, digestive issues, and long-term metabolic concerns.	Generally fewer side effects, but high caffeine content can still cause jitters.
Cost	Often more budget-friendly and widely available.	Tends to be more expensive due to higher-quality, often organic, ingredients.

How to Choose the Right Natural Energy Drink

Making the right choice depends on your personal health goals and taste preferences. Follow these tips to find the best option for you:

Read the Label: Never assume a 'sugar-free' drink is free of artificial sweeteners. Scrutinize the ingredient list for specific sweeteners and avoid ones like sucralose and aspartame if that is your goal.
Verify the Caffeine Source: Opt for brands that specify their caffeine source is natural (e.g., green tea extract) to avoid synthetic versions.
Check Sugar Content: If you're managing sugar intake, double-check that brands using natural sugars or juices don't contain more than your desired amount.
Consider Added Benefits: Some natural energy drinks offer additional benefits with ingredients like adaptogens, vitamins, and antioxidants. Choose one that aligns with your wellness goals.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices for Your Diet

Yes, finding an energy drink without artificial sweeteners is more than possible—it's a growing trend in the nutrition and beverage industry. With a wider range of options available than ever before, you can find a suitable drink to meet your needs and preferences. Whether you opt for a commercially available brand using natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit or decide to mix up a batch of homemade green tea lemonade, the power is in your hands to make informed, healthier choices for your body. The key lies in reading labels carefully and prioritizing high-quality, naturally-derived ingredients over synthetic additives to get a cleaner energy boost. For a deeper look at healthy drink options, consider exploring resources like the Healthline guide on natural energy drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common artificial sweeteners to look for on labels include sucralose (often marketed as Splenda), aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet), and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).

They are generally considered a healthier alternative because they avoid the potential negative health effects associated with artificial sweeteners. However, moderation is still important, and a balanced diet is always the best source of energy.

Natural sweeteners commonly found in energy drinks include stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract, and sometimes small amounts of erythritol or fruit juice concentrates.

Yes, you can easily create homemade energy drinks using natural ingredients. Recipes often include green tea for caffeine, combined with fresh fruit juices, honey, and electrolyte sources like coconut water.

Yes, most natural energy drinks still contain caffeine, but they often source it from natural ingredients like green tea extract, yerba mate, or coffee beans instead of synthetic versions.

No. Many zero-sugar energy drinks rely heavily on artificial sweeteners to achieve their flavor. You must read the ingredient label to confirm the specific sweetener used.

Some people choose to avoid artificial sweeteners due to concerns about their effects on gut microbiome health, metabolism, and potential links to increased cravings or other adverse effects.